Nutritional balance and recovery rate of macronutrients by ‘gigante’ cactus pear under different fertilizations1

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient export, nutritional balance and macronutrient recovery rate in ‘Gigante cactus pear under different fertilization doses, spacings and configurations during three production cycles. The 72 treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three repetitions, two configurations in the plots (triple and quadruple row), three spacings in the subplots (3.00 x 1.00 x 0.25 m; 3.00 x 1.00 x 0.16 m and 3.00 x 1.00 x 0.125 m); and 12 types of fertilization in the sub-subplots (with organic, organomineral and mineral sources). Exports of nutrients are higher under fertilizers with higher nutrient supplies, regardless of source. The order of export was K > Ca > N > Mg > S > P for mineral fertilization, organic fertilization with 30 Mg ha-1 year-1 and organomineral fertilization with 30 and 60 Mg ha-1 year-1 plus NPK and PK, and it changed to K > Ca > N > Mg > P > S under organic fertilization with 60 and 90 Mg ha-1 year-1 and organomineral fertilization with 90 Mg ha-1 year-1 plus K. The nutrient balance after three production cycles was positive for N, P and S, negative for Ca and Mg in all fertilizations, and positive for K under mineral fertilization with 600 kg ha-1 of K2 O and organomineral fertilization with 30, 60 and 90 Mg ha-1 year-1 plus 600 kg ha-1 of K2 O. The highest recovery rates of K and the lowest recovery rates of N occur under organic fertilization.