Foliar fertilization on the production of grafted dwarf cashew seedlings

ABSTRACT Foliar fertilization is an important agricultural technique that has stood out for its ease of use and can contribute to the production of high-quality and -vigor cashew seedlings. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar fertilizer rates and time of application on ‘BRS 226’ dwarf cashew seedlings after grafting. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with five treatments and 24 replicates. Each experimental unit consisted of one plant. The commercial product (NPK 20-20-20) was used at the recommended rate for fruit crops in general, 2.5 g L-1. Foliar fertilizer applications at 45 and 60 days after grafting (DAG), with 50% of the recommended rate (1.25 g L-1), or at 80 DAG, with 100% of the recommended, promoted increments of 9% and 13% in the total dry mass, respectively, in comparison to unfertilized plants. Besides that, at 80 DAG the foliar fertilizer application caused significant difference in the B contents, allowed obtaining better quality ‘BRS 226’ grafted dwarf-cashew seedlings. In the production of grafted seedlings of ‘BRS 226’ dwarf-cashew, it’s recommended to foliar fertilization at 45 and 60 days after grafting, with 1.25 g L-1 of the product based on NPK 20-20-20; or a single dose application 2.5 g L-1 at 80 days after grafting.