Doses and forms of application of phosphorus in vernalized garlic

Abstract

Because of low P mobility in the soil, the effect of its position in relation to the root is of great practical significance, especially in soils with extreme P deficiency. Experiments with vegetables under this approach are not frequent. This work studies the influence of the position of phosphate fertilizer on nutrient absorption and on the production of vernalized garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulbs. Two experiments were carried out in pots (16 L) containing samples of a Typic Quartzipsamment and of a Typic Hapludox in a factorial scheme with four P doses (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg P dm-3) and five positions relative to the incorporation (I) or furrow application (S), where L1 = 100%I, L2 = 75%I and 25%S, L3 = 50%I and 50%S, L4 = 25%I and 75%S, and L5 = 100%S. Doses of fertilizer and forms of application influenced contents of phosphorus extracted by resin and from plant leaves, in both soils. Bulb yield increased with increasing P doses, and was influenced by the fertilizer's position only in the clayey soil.