Produção e qualidade pós-colheita de rabanete fertilizado com doses de nitrogênio

Abstract

Nitrogen stands out in the nutrition of vegetables, but there are still doubts about the amounts to be recommended for high yields and improving the postharvest quality of radish roots grown under high temperature agroclimatic conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate if nitrogen fertilization levels influences the yield and postharvest quality of radish roots grown in a protected environment. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment, a screen with 50% shade. A randomized block design with six nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1 of N) applied in cover and four replications was used. The experimental plots consisted of wooden boxes with an area of 0.25 m². Each experimental unit consisted of fifteen plants, from the fifteen plants of the plot, nine plants were harvested to evaluate the yield and quality of the roots. After root collection and separation, root cross sectional diameter (mm), root fresh mass (g plant-1), pH, total soluble solids (ºBrix), titratable acidity (malic acid) were evaluated. Nitrogen levels resulted in root diameter gains, but did not influence its yield. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in increases in pH and total soluble solids content, but did not affect the acidity (% malic acid) of radish roots. It was concluded that: a) Nitrogen fertilizer promotes increases in radish root development; b) Nitrogen fertilization top dressing results in improvements in postharvest quality of radish roots.