Effect of nitrogen and potassium on plant height and stem diameter of Jatropha curcas L. in Colombian tropical dry forest

Abstract

The use of raw materials of Jatropha curcas L. to produce biofuel is of increasing interest in Colombia; little information is available on this species as a crop. This research evaluated plant height (Hp) and basal stem diameter (BSD) of J. curcas as affected by different rates of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) during the first 435 days of growth (DAP). The experiment involved a repeated measures design with inter-subject factors of fertilization (N dose, K2O dose nested in N dose) and an intra-subject factor of evaluation time. The Hp varied both as a function of N dose and the K2O dose nested in the N dose. The tallest plants were obtained with 150 kg ha-1 N and 180 kg ha-1 K2O treatment. With simultaneous confidence intervals of Bonferroni, we compared the evaluation times indicating for Hp non-overlapping intervals at 435 DAP (150 kg ha-1 N and remaining levels of this factor) and at 255 DAP (180 kg ha-1 K2O and remaining levels of this factor). The application of N fertilizers resulted in thicker stems as compared to control plants. Mathematical predictive models were obtained for Hp and BSD in J. curcas using a multiple regression analysis. These models permitted future rapid and non-invasive predictions for J. curcas growth in the field.