ABSTRACT. Curves of crop growth and nutrient extraction and export are essential to develop fertilization strategies and management plans to maximize yield and reduce environmental impacts. Our study aimed to evaluate dry matter production and both extraction and export of macronutrients by arrowroots (Maranta arundinacea L.) to be used in further crop fertilization plans. To this purpose, two experiments were carried out in field conditions using the varieties Viçosa and Seta. The experimental design was randomized with four replications and nine periods of analysis, which were defined as days after planting (105, 135, 165, 195, 225, 255, 285, 315, and 345 DAP). Dry matter, extraction, and export of macronutrients by arrowroot seed-rhizomes, aerial parts, roots, and storage roots (rhizomes) were determined. The exports of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S of storage rhizomes of the variety Viçosa were 104.6, 51.83, 412.24, 15.85, 36.14, and 64.36 kg ha-1, while those of the seta variety were 160.6, 71.62, 521.31, 17.57, 60.09, and 160.41 kg ha-1, respectively. Both varieties proved to be efficient soil macronutrient extractors, mainly for K. The variety Seta had higher shoot, root, seed-rhizome dry matter contents, as well as greater macronutrient extractions and exports.

Objetivou-se avaliar efeitos de doses de potássio aplicadas via fertirrigação no acúmulo de biomassa e desempenho produtivo de cultivares de morangueiro no litoral cearense. O experimento foi conduzido a pleno sol, no período de abril a agosto de 2012, em Fortaleza, Ceará. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5×2, referente a cinco doses de potássio (0,65 g; 0,97 g; 1,29 g; 1,61 g e 1,93 g por planta, semanalmente) aplicadas via fertirrigação e duas cultivares de morangueiro (Oso grande e Verão), em cinco repetições. Aos 40 dias após o transplantio iniciou-se a colheita dos frutos, que foram avaliados semanalmente quanto ao seu número por planta, ao diâmetro, ao comprimento, ao peso médio e à produtividade. A adubação potássica estimula a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e da raiz para as cultivares de morango Oso grande e Verão. A dose de potássio 0,65 g por planta foi a mais eficiente para o número de frutos por planta para a cultivar Oso grande e para o peso médio de fruto com a Verão. O aumento da concentração de potássio reduz a produtividade das cultivares de morango Oso grande e Verão. A cultivar Oso grande apresenta maior adaptabilidade às condições climáticas do litoral cearense do que a Verão.

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of potassium doses applied by fertigation on biomass accumulation and yield performance of strawberry cultivars in the Ceará coast. The experiment was conducted in full sunlight, in the interval from April to August 2012, in Fortaleza, Ceará. Treatments were disposed in a randomized blocks design, in a 2×5 factorial arrangement, consisting of five potassium doses (0.65, 0.97, 1.29, 1.61 and 1.93 g plant per week) and two strawberry cultivars (Oso Grande and Verão), with five replicates. At the 40th day after transplanting, the fruit harvesting started. The fruits were evaluated weekly, relatively to the the number of fruits per plant, fruit diameter, fruit length, average fruit weight and, at the end of the harvest period, the total yield. Potassium fertilization stimulates the production of dry matter of shoot and root for strawberry cultivars Oso grande and Verão. A potassium dose of 0.65 g plant-1 was the most efficient potassium dose (for fruit number per plant) for the Oso Grande cultivar and (for the average fruit weight) for the Verão cultivar. Increased potassium concentration reduces the yield of strawberry cultivars Oso grande and Verão. The Oso grande cultivar has higher adaptability to climatic conditions of Ceará than Verão.