Relations of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization to Nutrient Composition of the Petiole and Growth of Papaya1

Abstract

Abstract Papaya plants (Carica papaya L.) were supplied with N, P, and K in factorial combinations from vegetative through bearing stages. An increase in N fertilization increased the stem growth rate at the vegetative stage only, but it increased the petiole weight at vegetative as well as bearing stages. K fertilization increased the stem growth rate at the bearing stage, but it did not affect petiole weight. P fertilization increased stem growth rate and increased petiole weight at the vegetative stage only. An increase in N fertilization resulted in increased petiole concentration of N and in decreased petiole concentrations of moisture, K, P, and Ca. P fertilization resulted in increased petiole concentrations of P, moisture, Ca, and Mg. K fertilization resulted in increased petiole concentrations of K and moisture, and in decreased concentrations of N, Ca, and Mg. The relationship between petiole dry weight and N concentrations was determined at 3 rates of P fertilization.