Shoot nutrient uptake curves were characterized and a model was developed to estimate nitrogen and potassium rates to be applied in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fertigation in unheated greenhouse. The experiment was carried out from March to December using a randomized blocks design with 16 treatments and 6 replicates. Each treatment corresponded to a sampling time accomplished every 14 days from transplanting (DAT) up to 224 DAT. At that time, fruit yield and shoot dry weight were 51960 and 6130 kg ha-1 respectively. Total nutrient accumulation in the shoot, expressed in kg ha-1, was: 247 for K, 193 for N, 114 for Ca, 42 for Mg, 23 for P, 23 for S, 1.2 for Fe, 0,31 for B, 0.29 for Cu, 0.27 for Zn and 0,26 for Mn. Uptake curves and uptake rates (TA) are presented for each nutrient. Based upon TA, a model is proposed to estimate N and K rates to apply in pepper plant fertigation in unheated greenhouse.
Capsicum annuum; absorption; protected environment; fertilization; plant nutrition
