Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate root development and productivity of ‘Pérola’ pineapple as a function of split N and K fertilization and fertigation management. Four different split nitrogen and potassium fertilizations were evaluated in combination, as well as four different fertigation managements. Root samples were analyzed using the Safira software and surface area, length, root volume per soil volume, root diameter, dry mass, specific surface and specific length were quantified. Average fruit mass and average productivity were also quantified. The different split fertilizations and fertigation management alternatives caused changes in the root system of ‘Pérola’ pineapple. Regarding dry root mass per cm3 of soil, irrigated and fertigated plants split in twenty-seven N applications and four K applications, was 0.106 g.cm3, while irrigated and fertigated plants split in fifty-four N applications and four K applications was 0.523 g.cm3. Regarding productivity and average fruit mass, monthly applications and in four K applications until the ninth month of plant age promote greater increments, while split nitrogen fertilization showed no influence.
Highlights
Brazil is the world’s third largest pineapple producer
The aim of this work was to evaluate the development of the root system and productivity of ‘Pérola’ pineapple as a function of split nitrogen and potassium fertilization and fertigation management alternatives
The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the “Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo” (CEUNES), Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) located in the municipality of São Mateus, Latitude 18o40’32’’S, Longitude 80 39o51’39 ‘ ‘W and altitude of 37.7m above sea level
Summary
Brazil is the world’s third largest pineapple producer In 2018, around 2,650,479 tons of pineapple fruits were produced in Brazil, with average productivity of 37.04 t ha-1 (FAO, 2018). The three largest producers in the country are the states of Pará, Paraíba and Minas Gerais (IBGE, 2018). Despite being a culture in which the use of fertigation is not usual, some producers have adopted the technique in order to optimize the production process and obtain higher productivity. This technique consists of applying fertilizers together with water in the irrigation system (TRANI et al, 2011). There is no further information on the effects of the technique, both in relation to production and to the root system
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