NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION OF PURSLANE (Portulaca oleracea L.) IN RESPONSE TO NPK FERTILIZATION

Abstract

In order to find out a crop’s contribution of essential elements for humans, its nutrient concentration must be determined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of NPK fertilization on water content, above-ground biomass production, and nutrient concentration of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), in three harvest dates (27, 34, and 42 d after its emergence). The study was conducted under field conditions. Four doses of N (0, 100, 200, and 300 kg N ha?1 ), P (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg P2O5 ha?1 ), and K (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg K2O ha?1 ) were evaluated in 12 treatments with a fully randomized block design with four replicates. The information was analyzed by regression. The N applied increased the concentration of N, P, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B, and decreased the concentration of K and Ca. Applying P increased the concentration of P. Applying K decreased the concentration of K, Ca, Mg, and Na. Late harvest dates increased the concentrations of N, K, Na, Mn, Fe, and Cu. The concentration of Na, Cu, and Zn do not exceed the limits established for their fresh consumption. Purslane contributes substantial amounts of K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, and Zn that could contribute to the recommended daily intake of essential minerals.