TITLE:
Phytometric and Productive Characteristics of Safflower Submitted to Phosphate Fertilization in the Oxisol of the Brazilian Cerrado
AUTHORS:
Edna Maria Bonfim-Silva, Luiz Fernando Santos Miranda, Laura Cristina Rezende das Neves, Helon Hébano de Freitas Sousa, Jefferson Vieira José
KEYWORDS:
Carthamus tinctorius L., Alternative Culture for Biodiesel, Oleaginous
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.12,
November
13,
2017
ABSTRACT: The safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), in particular, has been soaring in
significance as an alternative for oil and biodiesel production.
In this context, the goal of this study was to assess the influence exerted by
phosphate fertilization on the phytometric and productive characteristics of
the safflower raised on the Oxisol of the Cerrado. The experiment was performed
in a greenhouse, using pots of 3 dm-3in volume. Adopting the
completely randomized design, five doses of phosphorus (P2O5:
0, 90, 180, 360 and 540 mg·dm-3) and six replicates were included.
The following variables were estimated, viz., number of leaves, plant height,
and stem diameter, besides chlorophyll index (SPAD index), number of chapters
and shoot dry matter. Barring the shoot dry matter and number of chapters, all
the other variables were evaluated on days 30 and 45 after the plants were
transplanted. Data were submitted to analysis of variance at 1%, 5% and
10% probabilities, and regression analysis, at 1% and 5%
probabilities, respectively. All the variables revealed significant differences
and adjustments to the linear regression model (P .76 for
chlorophyll index, 5 units for the number of chapters and 3.45 g for dry shoot
mass were recorded in response to the highest phosphorus dose in the
experimental range (P2O5: 540 mg·dm-3).
Phosphate fertilization was observed to affect the phytometric characteristics
and boost the development of the safflower plants cultivated in the Cerrado Oxisol,
substantiating that safflower could be a viable cash crop that can be
established in the Brazilian Cerrado.