The objective of this work was to evaluate theinfluence of soil densities on the early growth ofthephysic nut(JatrophacurcasL.). The experiment wascarried out in 10.6 dm³pots in a greenhouse.The soilused in the experiment wasa clay-texture Oxisolcollected in Marechal Cândido Rondon, Paraná State, Brazil. The experimental designwas randomized blockswith five levels ofsoil density (1.08, 1.22, 1.36, 1.50and 1.64kg dm-3) with four repetitions. Biometric and plant tissue evaluations were performed 120 days after plant emergence.It was found a reduction by 25% in plant heightat a density of1.64kg dm-3when compared todensity of1.08kg dm-3. For root length, the reduction was approximately 24%, 35%, 54% and 66%at the densities of1.22,1.36,1.50 and1.64 kg dm-3, respectively, when compared with density of1.08kg dm-3. Limitation of shoot development was found from the estimated density of 1.26 kg dm-3, with a reduction in the number of leaves, leaf area and dry weight of shoots. The root system development and content of P and K in plants of physic nut decreased linearly as the density increased.
Jatropha curcas L.; penetration resistance; soil compaction
