The effects of three plant spacings (80x30, 60x30, and 40x30 cm) and five nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha-1) were evaluated on biomass yield, macronutrient uptake and tissue concentration of cabbage. A field experiment was carried out at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa from 09/23 to 12/20/2002. The experiment was set in a split-plot design with four replications. Spacings were assigned to the main plots and the N rates were set in the split-plot, arranged in a completely randomized design. At the harvest time, leaves were detached, oven dried and analyzed for N (N-NO3- and N-total), P, K, Ca, Mg, and S contents. Increasing N rates led to an increase in biomass yield, N (N-NO3- and N-total), P, and Mg contents and macronutrient uptake of cabbage. Increasing plant spacings led to lower biomass yield and K uptake and increase in N (N-NO3- and N-total), P, S, and Ca contents of cabbage.
Brassica oleraceae var. capitata; quality; nitrate; population
