Fertilization and irrigation is intensively used for seedling production in substrate, which can result in high nutrient losses. Phosphorus (P) is heavily used in the preparation of the potting mix, but studies on nutrient losses are scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical attributes in leachate from potting mix during rooting of cocoa tree cuttings under intermittent irrigation and P fertilization in a 5 x 5 factorial, complete randomized block design with three replications. The factors consisted of five substrates (20, 35, 50, 65 and 80 % volume of coconut fiber (CF) completed with Plantmax®) and five triple superphosphate - TSP rates (P2O5 = 0; 0.23; 0.46; 0.92 and 1.84 g dm-3). The plot consisted of two tubes (288 cm³), with one herbaceous cocoa cutting per tube. Total leachate of 28 days was collected and measured, while electric conductivity (EC) and pH were analyzed in three weekly samples. The nutrients P, Ca, Mg and K were quantified in weekly average samples and the data subjected to regression analysis. Over the course of time, the pH in the leachate increased and CE decreased. Increasing TSP doses reduced the pH and increased the EC of the leachate. The higher the CF proportion, the faster and higher were pH and EC variations. Nutrients content and amount in leachate from all substrates tested decreased soon after starting the study. TSP supply increased leaching of all nutrients. Ca, Mg and K losses were proportional to their availability in the substrate. Leaching of supplemented P ranged from 39 to 74 % and was inversely proportional to the phosphate adsorption capacity of the substrates.
leaching; nutrient loss; growing media; coconut coir dust
