Nutrição mineral e aspectos morfológicos do tomateiro cereja sob redução da disponibilidade de macronutrientes

Abstract

Aspects related to tomato mineral nutrition are important for the production of quality fruits. Particularly for the cherry tomato group (Solonum Lycopersicon var. Cerasiforme), cv. Carolina, information on nutrition and fertilization for soilless cultivation in substrates are very insipient. This work was conducted to characterize the visible symptoms of nutritional deficiency of macronutrients in cherry tomato crop, cv. Carolina, as well as the influence of these deficiencies in the mineral composition of leaves, plant growth and fruit production. The experiment was conducted in unprotected environment at the Center for Teaching and Research in Urban Agriculture-NEPAU, of the Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil, in a completely randomized design, with seven treatments: complete nutrient solution and individual omissions of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, with five replications. Each experimental unit was represented by a 10 liter spot containing as a substrate a mixture of coconut powder and not carbonized rice hull, in a 2:1 ratio, based on volume. The first symptoms of deficiencies occurred in plants submitted to the omission of N, followed by P and K. Visible symptoms of deficiencies of Ca, Mg and S were not observed. It was observed that the omission of nutrients influenced both the content of the omitted elements as those of other nutrients in the leaves. N and P deficiencies were the ones that most affected the growth and production of plants, compared to the other treatments. We conclude, by the severity of symptoms of nutrient deficiency, that the cherry tomato is very demanding on N and P.