Analysis of macro and micro nutrients in six substrates and leaves for vanilla cultivation (Vanilla planifolia G. Jackson): vanilla nutrition

Resumen

Objective: To analyze the physicochemical properties and nutritional content in six substrates and the foliar content of macro and micronutrients in leaves of five phenological stages in vanilla.

Design/methodology/approach: Six substrates were evaluated, in which physicochemical properties and the content of total and available macro and micro nutrients were determined. The foliar content in leaves of five phenological stages in vanilla was also determined. The statistical analysis had a completely randomized design, the substrates and phenological stages were evaluated separately, with two repetitions per treatment.

Results: The substrates analyzed resulted in total amounts of macro and micro nutrients acceptable for good development of vanilla plants and, considering the foliar contents of the leaves, adequate management of the nutrition of the vanilla crop can be achieved.

Limitations on study/implications: The physicochemical analyses of the substrates present total amounts of nutrients for the proper development of vanilla plants. However, their availability must be improved

Findings/conclusions: The foliar contents of macro and micro nutrients in vanilla leaves were different in the stages of plant development, with K being the one with the highest foliar content followed by N, P, Ca and Mg. Considering these foliar contents and the total and available nutritional contents in the substrates can contribute to adequate nutrition planning in vanilla cultivation.