Acúmulo de nutrientes e resposta da alface à adubação fosfatada

Nutrient absorption and response of lettuce to phosphorus fertilization. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of lettuce (cultivar Verônica) to different levels of phosphorus fertilization. The experiment was conducted from 25/09/2003 (sowing) to 03/12/2003 (harvesting) at the Fazenda Experimental São Manuel, UNESP/FCA, Botucatu/SP, under protective structures. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five treatments (0, 200, 400, 600 and 800kg.ha-1 of P2 O5, in the form of triple superphosphate) and five replications. Plants were grown in 13L plastic pots containing Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico Típico. A quadratic response was observed for the fresh mass of the plant shoots and leaf area, with maximum equivalent levels of 733 and 756kg.ha-1 of P2 O5 , respectively, as well as for potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc accumulation. Linear increases were observed with the treatments of P2 O5 for dry mass of the shoots, leaf number, plant height and nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation.