Mineral nutrition of cashewnut tree (Anacardium occidentale L.): III - nutrients absorption (preliminary note)

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to examine the differences in growth, accumulation and transport of nutrients between cashewnut trees from 1 to 14 years old. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Santa Terezinha, State of Bahia. The soil type was a sandy oxisol of low fertility, except for K was high. Common cultivation practices were followed. Trees were collected for chemical analysis of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Conclusions: The cashewnut tree presents a continuous growth from 1 to 14 years old. A ten year old cashewnut trees contained: N- 1.5 kg;P- 0.2 kg;K-1.1 kg;Ca- 0.2 kg; Mg- 0.3 kg; S- 0.1 kg; B- 4.0 g;Cu- 1.4 g; Fe- 2.0 g;Mn- 7.8 g;Zn- 2.6 g. One kilogramme of cashewnut fruits transport: N- 13.9 g; P- 1.3 g; K- 6.2 g; Ca- 0.3 g; Mg- 1.3 g;S- 0.5 g;B- 18.5 mg;Cu- 16.2mg;Fe- 36.9 mg;Mn- 13.2 mg. Differences exist in the concentrations of P, K, Ca, B and Mn in the leaves dry matter when trees became olders. No differences exist in the concentrations of N, Mg, S, Cu, Fe and Zn in the leaves dry matter when trees became olders.