AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF ROCKET AS A FUNCTION OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILISATION IN A P-RICH SOIL¹

DESEMPENHO AGRONÔMICO DA RÚCULA EM FUNÇÃO DA ADUBAÇÃO COM FÓSFORO EM SOLO COM ELEVADO TEOR DO NUTRIENTE

ABSTRACT

In intensive vegetable production systems, it is natural to increase nutrient contents in the soil due to the frequent fertiliser applications, especially phosphorus (P). There are few studies on the response of vegetables to phosphate fertilisation under such conditions. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of rocket as a function of phosphorus fertilisation in a P-rich Rhodic Eutrudox soil. Five P doses (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 kg ha^-1 P₂O₅) were evaluated in a randomised complete block design with four replicates. Maximum soil P content and shoot P content at harvest were obtained at a dose of 300 kg ha^-1 P₂O₅. Rocket responded negatively to P fertilisation. The increase of P doses promoted the decrease of height and yield of the crop.

Keywords:
Eruca sativa ; Phosphate fertilisation; Mineral nutrition; Productive efficiency