Considering there are few researches about the influence of seedlings fertilization on yield, this work was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of rates of nitrogen and potassium, applied by fertirrigation, in endive seedlings on yield. Two experiments were carried out, the first with four treatments, varying nitrogen rates, and the second with four potassium rates. In both, experimental design was randomized blocks, with four replications. In the first experiment, we utilized ammonium nitrate, weekly, at rates 0; 40; 80 and 120 mg of N L-1, while in the second experiment we utilized potassium chloride, weekly, at rates 0; 70; 140 and 210 mg of K2O L-1. The evaluated characteristics at seedling stage were shoot height, number of leaves, fresh and dry shoot weight. At harvesting, we evaluated plant height, diameter, number of leaves and fresh weight. Potassium rates did not influence all characteristics, at seedling and at harvesting stages. For all seedling characteristics, there was linear increasing depending on nitrogen rates. But, for plant fresh weight, diameter and number of leaves at harvesting, the effect was quadratic. The highest fresh weight and number of leaves at harvesting were obtained with 90 mg of N L-1.
Cichorium endivia; fertilization; coconut fiber; fertirrigation
