Peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) yield responses were evaluated, using four irrigation levels and three nitrogen doses, in a field experiment carried out, during a 22-month period, in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. A randomized block trial in a factorial design was utilized. Nitrogen doses corresponded to 0; 200 and 400 kg ha-1 year-1 of N, whereas irrigation levels were equivalent to 0; 50; 100 and 120% of the daily reference evapotranspiration (ETo), determined by a class A evaporation pan. Weekly fertirrigations were applied using a diaphragm injection pump. Heart-of-palm yield was evaluated from 30 to 34 months. There were significant treatment (irrigation and fertilization) effects for all yield related variables. The treatments with low irrigation levels and nitrogen doses presented the smallest yields. Taking into consideration plant growth and heart-of-palm yield, the results indicate that irrigation with 100% of ETo and fertirrigation with 200 kg of N ha-1 year-1 are recommended when cultivating peach palm plants in conditions similar to the ones presented in this study.
Bactris gasipaes; ammendement; irrigation; palmito; production; nitrogen
