Nitrogen fertilization on the substrate for bromeliads cultivation

Abstract

One of the reasons for the predatory extraction of bromeliads is the lack of information about the techniques of growing these plants, mainly in relation to fertilization. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen on substrate in vegetative growth and nutrient content in leaves of bromeliads Nidularium fulgens. Seedlings were submitted to six levels of nitrogen: 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/dm3. The experimental design used was the randomized block design with six treatments, five replications and three plants per plot. Plants were evaluated on the number of leaves, height, diameter of base, dry matter and foliar mineral composition. The results showed that there was a linear increase of the height, number of leaves and foliar dry matter with higher nitrogen rates. The increasing levels of nitrogen gave an increase in foliar nitrogen and manganese and reduce leaf content of calcium and copper. Nitrogen rates applied did not influence the contents of P, K, S, B, Zn and Mg. These results suggest that the addition of nitrogen fertilizer at 500 mg/dm3 in Nidularium fulgens provides greater vegetative development, increases the leaf N and Mn content and reduces the content of Ca and Cu.