Aimed at evaluating the efficiency of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake, translocation and use by Pfaffia glomerata, the present study was conducted in greenhouse, in completely randomized design with three replicates. Treatments were displayed in 5 x 5 factorial design, with five N levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1) and five P (P2O5) levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1). Results evidenced that N and P uptake efficiency was influenced by the N and P levels used in the experiment, showing interaction among the studied factors. N translocation efficiency was considerably lower than that of P, probably due to the lower concentration of nitrogenous compounds in the roots than in the shoot. P use efficiency was higher due to the lower concentration of this element in the plant. N and P uptake was influenced by the level of these elements in the soil, being possible to estimate the levels of these nutrients which provide higher uptake, translocation and use efficiency besides total content.
nutritional efficiency; plant nutrition; Brazilian ginseng; nitrogen