The response of roquette cv. Cultivada, to different copper concentrations in the nutrient solution was evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments (0; 0.036; 0.072 and 0.108 mgL-1 of copper added to the nutrient solution) and four replications. 30 days after transplanting, 150 plants were collected at random in order to analyse the concentrations of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn in the dry matter of the aerial part. Symptoms of deficiency were observed in the treatment without copper, presenting strong reduction in the plant size. The dry matter yield was significantly influenced by the increasing concentrations of Cu, with maximum production and 95% of maximum yield was obtained respectively with 0.108 and 0.064 mgL-1 of Cu in the nutritive solution. The concentration of Cu and Mn in the aerial part increased with increasing concentration of Cu in the nutritious solution.
Eruca sativa; plant nutrition; micronutrient; soilless culture
