Growth and accumulation of nutrients in bromeliads, in a greenhouse, in Cerrado / Crescimento e acúmulo de nutrientes em bromélias com ocorrência no Cerrado em ambiente protegido

The Bromeliaceae family shows great genetic diversity and ecological, industrial, landscape, and food application. However, for most species, there exist no strategies for their commercial exploitation. In order to contribute to the development of technologies for the cultivation of bromeliads in Cerrado, the growth of three bromeliads in a commercial substrate enriched with or without organomineral fertilizer in a greenhouse was evaluated. Periodically, the number of leaves, plant height (cm), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), stem diameter (cm), and chlorophyll index (SPAD) were evaluated. Fresh and dry mass, P (g kg -1 ), K (g kg -1 ), Ca (g kg -1 ), Mg (g kg -1 ), Fe (mg kg -1 ), Mn (mg kg -1 ), and Zn (mg kg -1 ) in the aerial part and in the root system of the plants were evaluated. Bromeliads showed specific responses to substrates and evaluation days. The substrates enriched with organomineral fertilizer favored plant growth. During the evaluation period, SPAD was reduced. Organomineral did not increase the nutrient content in the aerial parts or in the root system of the plants. The three species of bromeliads showed potential for cultivation in a greenhouse, without compromising the quality of the plants; however, it is necessary to define the specific substrates to optimize the growth of each species.