Knowledge of the growth of, and nutrient accumulation in rootstock of the star fruit leads to a more efficient fertilization in the production this rootstock. The objective was to determine the growth of, and nutrient accumulation in rootstock of the star fruit when grown in a nutrient solution. The experiment consisted of five treatments, related to the period of collection: 25; 50; 75; 100 and 125 days after transplanting, arranged in a completely randomized design with six replications. The plants used were obtained from seeds of the fruit of the 'Malaysia' carambola, grown in pots with a nutrient solution. The growth, accumulation of nutrients, and nutritional indices of different organs of the rootstock (leaves, stems and roots) were assessed every 25 days. The grafting point (6 mm) was reached at 110 days after transplanting. In decreasing order, the nutrients accumulated in each rootstock produced were (mg per plant): N = 634, K = 368, Ca =152, Mg = 106, S = 98, P = 88, and (mg per plant): Fe = 2,963, Mn = 2,165, B = 722;Zn = 780 and Cu = 96. The average accumulation of nutrients was higher in the leaves > stems = roots. The period of greatest nutrient demand by the rootstock occurred between 25-75 days after transplanting. The different net rates of accumulation of nutrients in the various parts of the star fruit do not always follow the rate of nutrient accumulation in the respective organ.
Averrhoa carambola L.; Nutritional requirements; Absorption rate
