The effects of three doses of organic composts of three different origins, applied to two soil types, were evaluated on production and absorption of nutrients by lettuce. The experiment was conducted under plastic tunnel, at the Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas, in Botucatu, Brazil, in plastic vase each with 4 liters of soil. The soils [Oxisol (Dark Red Latosoil) (LE), sandy phase, and an Inceptisol (AQ)] were corrected to reach 80% of base saturation and all the vases received 150 mg.kg-1 of P, 100 mg.kg-1 of K and micronutrients. The composts were mixed to the soils in amounts of 60; 120 and 240 g vase-1. The composts, originated from a mixture of eucalyptus bark, wood sawdust and bean straw, were mixed with chicken manure. The experiment was accomplished following a randomized design, with 18 treatments and 3 replicates (3 doses x 2 soils x 3 composts) plus a control. The bean straw compost increased the fresh weight of the aerial part and the amount of N, K, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Fe and Zn in the lettuce plants, but differed for P and Mn only in relation to eucalyptus bark compost. In all the characteristics evaluated in the LE the best results were obtained in relation to AQ. Larger doses of bean straw promoted increase in fresh weight of aerial part, and in the amount of N, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe and Zn.
Lactuca sativa L.; mineral nutrition; organic fertilizer
