Dinâmica de macronutrientes em folhas e cachos de pimenta-do-reino

The objective of this work was to determine the macronutrient dynamics in leaves and bunches of black pepper (Piper nigrum) throughout the plant reproductive cycles. The experiment was carried out in a commercial field of 'Bragantina' black pepper. Leaves and bunches were sampled every 21 days for one year, during two crop cycles. The bunches were sampled from the twenty eighth day after the appearance of inflorescences until the complete fruit maturation. Samples of leaves and bunches were dried, and the contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S were determined. N, K, and Ca were the most common macronutrients found in the bunches and leaves of black pepper. The accumulation of dry matter in the bunches was similar for both cycles and it was adjusted to the linear and quadratic models. The accumulation and content of macronutrients followed the dry matter behavior trend. Macronutrient contents in leaves oscillate during the year, and K and Mg vary more than N, P, Ca, and S. The macronutrient contents in black pepper leaves and bunches depends on the plant vegetative stage, and this variation should be considered in the planning of the fertilization management.O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a dinâmica de macronutrientes em folhas e cachos de pimenta-do-reino (Piper nigrum), ao longo dos ciclos reprodutivos da planta. O experimento foi realizado em uma lavoura comercial de pimenta-do-reino 'Bragantina'. Folhas e cachos foram amostrados a cada 21 dias, por um ano, durante dois ciclos de cultivo. Os cachos foram amostrados desde o vigésimo oitavo dia após o lançamento das inflorescências até a maturação completa dos frutos. As amostras de folhas e cachos foram secas, e os conteúdos de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S foram determinados. N, K e Ca foram os macronutrientes mais comuns nos cachos e nas folhas de pimenta-do-reino. O acúmulo de matéria seca nos cachos de pimenta-do-reino foi similar nos dois ciclos e foi ajustado aos modelos linear e quadrático. O acúmulo e o conteúdo de macronutrientes seguiram a tendência de comportamento da matéria seca. O conteúdo de macronutrientes nas folhas oscila durante o ano, e K e Mg variam mais do que N, P, Ca e S. O conteúdo de macronutrientes em folhas e cachos de pimenta-do-reino depende do estádio vegetativo da planta, e essa variação deve ser considerada no planejamento do manejo de adubação

Nutrient accumulation in fruits and grains of black pepper at different ripening stages

Funding Information: This work received funding support from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo (FAPES), from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil - Finance code 001, from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), and from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), Portugal, through the research units UIDB/00239/2020 (CEF), and UIDP/04035/2020 (GeoBioTec). We would like to acknowledge the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) for providing the facilities needed and the farmer Zenor Quinquim for field support. Publisher Copyright: © 2022, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. All rights reserved.Nutrients accumulation in plants/fruits varies according to the crop development stage and its quantification is important to determine nutrients exportation for fertilization planning and nutrient balancing. This study determined the accumulation of nutrients in different parts of Piper nigrum ‘Bragantina’ spikes harvested at two ripening stages (still-green and red-colored spikes). Assessments in separate parts of still-green spikes (fruits and peduncles) as well as in red-colored spikes (grains, flesh and peduncles) were performed. Piper nigrum spikes were harvested, dried, and the parts were thereafter separated for chemical analysis. N and Mn were the macro and micronutrient most accumulated in the fruits of still-green spikes and in the grains of red-colored spikes, while K and B were most accumulated in the other parts of black pepper assessed, regardless of the ripening stage. The process of removing the flesh from the fruits for white pepper production led to a difference in nutrient concentration and accumulation between the fruits of still-green spikes and the grains of red-colored spikes. A significant contribution of nutrient input can be achieved by maintained flesh and peduncles in the crop area, decreasing the dependence of external fertilizers and thus contributing to a more sustainable agriculture.publishersversionpublishe