Brazil is one of the largest star fruit producers in the world, however, there is little scientific information, especially on mineral nutrition contributing to the production of star fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritive solutions on the development and the nutritional status of star fruit hypobiotes (root-stocks). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with four nutritive solutions and five repetitions The Hoagland & Arnon solution was used as standard, for comparison with the other three solutions. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using 8 L plastic containers. Shoot dry matter and nutrient accumulation in the various plant parts were determined at 150 days after transplanting. The nutritive solutions by Furlani, Castellane & Araújo and Sarruge gave similar dry mass yield of whole plant for the star fruit hypobiotes. The Hoagland & Arnon solution resulted in reduced dry mass of the whole plant and accumulation of nutrients, except of N, Ca and Fe. Nitrogen and potassium are the most needed nutrients at the initial plant development stage.
Averrhoa carambola L.; mineral nutrition; hidroponics
