Open AccessNutrients demand of cactus forage
Author(s) -
João Macedo Moreira,
Aldrin P. Pérez-Marin,
Jucilene Silva Araújo,
George Rodrigues Lambais,
Aldo Torres Sales
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
revista brasileira de geografia física
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1984-2295
DOI - 10.26848/rbgf.v13.2.p811-820
Subject(s) - randomized block design , nutrient , fertilizer , forage , zoology , mathematics , agronomy , biology , ecology
The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of nutrient use in three cactus forage (CF) cultivars (Opuntia stricta and Nopalea cochenillifera), 365 days after planting under different types of fertilizer in two research sites (Condado and Riachão) of the semi-arid region of Paraiba state, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block design with treatments in a factorial scheme (3×4), three cultivars of CF (Orelha de elefante Mexicana; Miúda; Bahiana), and four fertilizer treatment (Control; Manure; Manure with Nitrogen; Mineral fertilization) with four replications. The CF cultivars did not differ significantly in nutrient use. That means of physio-logical efficiency by CF cultivars were 1.62, and 2.36 kg of biomass per kg of nutrient applied in Condado and Riachão, respectively. The efficiency of nutrient recovery was 16% for the Condado, according the following order: K> P> Ca> N> C = Mg and 12% for Riachão: K> P> N> C = Ca = Mg. In the two research sites, the treatment with mineral fertilization significantly increased the efficiency use of N, P and K in comparison to the other treatments. The average for efficiency of nutrient utilization was 25% and 19% for Condado and Riachão, respectively, in the following order for Condado: K> P> N> Ca = Mg> C, and Riachão: K> P> N> C> Mg = Ca. In a CF production system aiming to obtain a yearly harvest cycle, it is necessary to replenish of K and P to maintain the nutritional balance between the soil and CF plant.