EMERGENCE AND GROWTH OF CASTOR BEAN SEEDLINGS, LINEAGE UFRB 222, UNDER MINERAL FERTILIZATION

Abstract

Castor bean stands out in semiarid regions because of its high content of oil in its seeds, ease of cultivation and great adaptability to climatic conditions and soils, emphasizing that mineral fertilization is a factor of strong influence on plant growth. The objective of this study was to study castor bean (UFRB 222) with different doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the emergence and growth of castor bean until 40 days after sowing. Phosphorus and potassium fertilization was performed on foundation and nitrogen after 20 DAS, distributed in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The treatments were arranged in a balcone matrix. The variables plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, emergence, rate of emergence speed were analyzed at 40 DAS. In this period, these plant characteristics responded positively to phosphorus dosages up to 450 kg ha^-1 and did not respond to nitrogen and potassium dosages. Fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium negatively influenced the rate of emergence and the emergence percentage of castor bean seeds. And, finally, the fertilized plants, independent of the dosages and the type of fertilizer, were better developed than those not fertilized.