Foliar analysis of dwarf coconut tree in two different times in relation to the amount of N and K

Abstract

The culture of the dwarf coconut is growing in Ceará because of the huge searching of the product for the great industries. The goal of this work was to evaluate the nutricional state of the dwarf coconut in relation to the amount of N and K in the coast of Ceará. The dwarf coconut was 3 and 4 years old. The work was conducted in a commercial plantation of the green dwarf coconut of Jiqui, in 2002 and 2003 in Paracuru, CE, next to the Curu-Paraipaba Irrigated Area. The ground of the region is a Quartzipsament. The experimental design was the completely randomized blocks with 10 treatments consisting of five portions of nitrogen and potassium combined according to the model of the experimental matrix Plan Puebla III. The leaves 4 and 9 were collected to evaluate the nutricional state of the plant in two different times and different types of vegetation. It was observed that Leaf 4 in the third year presented lower variation of the nutrients, mainly potassium, than Leaf 9 in the forth year. It can be explained due to the need of potassium by the fruit in this stage.