A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of P:Mg ratios on soil fertility and on mineral composition and yield of alfalfa cultivated in a dystrophic Red Yellow Latosol (Oxisol). It was used a split-plot in a complete randomized design, with three replicates. Treatments were combinations of P (rates: 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg-1, source: triple superphosphate) and Mg (rates: 0, 100, and 200 mg kg-1, source: magnesium chlorite) at the following P:Mg ratios: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4. Three harvest were performed (subplots), with 30-d intervals. Results showed that dry matter yield increased with the increment of P:Mg ratios and P and Mg rates. Phosphorus concentrations and P:Mg ratios in tissue showed close relationship with the proportion of the nutrients in the soil. The 2:1 ratio caused higher chlorophyll and N concentrations in tissue, while elevating quantity of P in soil decreased K uptake.
Medicago sativa; chlorophyll; mineral composition; macronutrients
