Foliar diagnosis of common arrowroot propagated by different forms and fertilized with biofertilizer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae) is a unconventional food plant (UFP) that has relevant nutritional properties. However, few studies on the species regarding its forms of propagation and its nutrition have been performed. In parallel, biofertilizer provides nutrients and stimulates the development of species, as it promotes improvements in soil properties. In this context, the objective in this study was to evaluate the effect of different forms of propagation and doses of biofertilizer on arrowroot nutrition. A randomized block experimental design in a split-plot scheme, evaluating three forms of propagation (whole rhizome, part of the rhizome and stem) and five doses of biofertilizer (0, 300, 600, 900 and 1200 mL per plant week-1) was used. At 268 days after planting, the leaves were collected for analysis of leaf macro and micronutrient contents. Plants propagated by stem have lower accumulation of N, P, K and S and higher accumulation of Na, compared to the other forms of propagation. N and K contents were increased by the application of biofertilizer, reaching values of 20.8 and 18.2 g kg-1 at doses of 1200 and 955 mL per plant week-1, respectively. Accumulation of micronutrients was influenced by the forms of propagation and doses of biofertilizer, showing positive responses, especially for Zn at the maximum dose. Propagation by whole rhizome and doses from 600 to 1200 mL per plant week-1 are recommended to obtain the best nutritional results in arrowroot.