INFLUÊNCIA DOS MÉTODOS DE SECAGEM DE AMOSTRAS DE FOLHAS DE CAPIM BRAQUIÁRIA, CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR E GOIABEIRA NOS TEORES DE MACRONUTRIENTES

Abstract

Drying leaf samples in microwave oven may be a promising method if it does not affect the levels of nutrients in the samples, compared to conventional drying oven procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of drying leaf samples using microwave oven on the foliar concentrations of macronutrients of brachiaria grass, cane sugar and guava. For this, a study was carried out in a 3x2 factorial arrangement, with three plant species and two drying methods, microwave oven and forced-air circulation oven, arranged in a randomized block design with six replications. Leaf samples were analyzed for determining their macronutrient levels. The drying methods did not affect foliar concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in all three species studied. However, leaves dried in microwave oven showed higher values of sulfur in all three species. Also, Ca content was higher in guava leaves dried in microwave oven.

Keywords

• Brachiaria decumbens
• Saccharum officinarum
• Psidium guajava
• chemical analysis of plants