DRIS and geostatistics indices for nutritional diagnosis and enhanced yield of fertirrigated acai palm

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition Vol. 43; no. 12; pp. 1875 - 1886
• Main Authors: Ribeiro, Felipe Oliveira, Fernandes, Antônio Rodrigues, Galvão, Jessivaldo Rodrigues, de Matos, Gilson Sérgio Bastos, Lindolfo, Marcelo Morita, dos Santos, Cássio Rafael Costa, Pacheco, Mauro Junior Borges
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 20-07-2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Calcium; Copper; Diagnosis; Euterpe oleracea; Euterpe oleracea Mart; Fertilization; Geostatistics; Iron; Magnesium; Manganese; Nutrient deficiency; Nutrients; Nutrition; Nutritional status; plant nutrition; response to fertilization; Sampling; spatial distribution; Variability; Yield; Zinc
• ISSN: 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2020.1750643

Information about Açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) nutrition, that gives support for yield increase is sparse. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of fertigated Açaí palm by the Index called Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), as well as the spatial variability of this Index and its productivity. We achieved a sampling of 80 geo-referenced points in an Açaí palm commercial crop area. Then we assessed the yield and contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The DRIS evaluation indicated that the frequency of nutrients in suitable status was N > S > Zn > B>Fe > K>Ca > Mg > P>Mn > Cu, in deficiency was Mn > Ca > B>Cu > Mg > Fe > K > P > S>Zn > N, and in excess was P > Cu > Mg > K > N = Zn > Fe > Ca > S = B > Mn. The nutrients N and S were well balanced, whereas Mn, Ca and B were the nutrients with the highest frequency of deficiency. The sampling points were close enough to detect the spatial variability of DRIS Index. Thus, it was possible to observe the patterns for the nutritional deficiencies, occurring at the final part of the irrigation, as well as the variability of the Açaí palm yield. The spatial variability of the DRIS Index was efficient to indicate the points in which fittings in the fertilization doses are required.