SISTEMAS DE MANEJO E EFEITO RESIDUAL DO POTÁSSIO NA PRODUTIVIDADE E NUTRIÇÃO DO FEIJÃO-CAUPI

Abstract

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] have great social and economic importance for the Para State. It grows well in areas with low precipitation and two crop cycles can be obtained annually. This study aimed to assess the effect of the residual fertilization from a previous culture (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and crop systems on cowpea yield and macronutrient concentration on leaves of three cowpea cultivars (BRS- Milênio, BRS-Urubuquara e BRS-Guariba). The study was conducted at the UFRA. The treatments were two crop systems (minimum tillage and conventional), four levels of potassium (50, 100, 200 e 300 kg de KCl ha-1 applied to a previous sorghum culture) and the three cowpea cultivars. Treatments were organized as a three (4 x 2 x 3) factor experiment on a randomized complete block design. The soil was a yellow latosol. In each ex- periment plot five plants were selected to determine shoot dry matter and foliar nutrient concentration. Grain yield was determined after harvesting all plants on the experiment plot. The residual KCl fertilization affected foliar nutrient content, but did not affect shoot dry mass or yield of grain. Yield was higher in the minimum tillage system. Highest yield (1590 kg ha-1) was recorded int the cv. ‘Guariba’ when 100 kg of KCl ha-1 had been used in the previous crop. The highest content of leaf N and K was found in cowpea under minimum till- age system. The amount of P and Mg were higher in the conventional system whereas the amount of Ca did not change.