Abstract

BETANCOURT Y, P; MONTILLA, I; HERNANDEZ, C  and  GALLARDO, E. Nitrogen fertilization in pineapple crop (Ananas comosus L. Merr) at Paramo Negro community, Iribarren, Lara state. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2005, vol.22, n.4, pp.382-393. ISSN 0378-7818.

This work was conducted at Páramo Negro in order to characterize its soils and evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization over the pineapple production. Texture, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, organic matter, electric conductivity, aluminum and cation exchange capacity determinations were done to seventeen soil samples, coming from the seventeen production units in the area; multivariable analysis was used. Two 42 m² plots located at two different farms were selected, and three different nitrogen doses (100, 200, 300 kg.ha^-1) were applied, another plot was control treatment (0 kg.ha^-1). A random block design was used for analysis of yield. Results indicate that Páramo Negro soils are medium in natural fertility, with low pH and high aluminum content. Significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments were found; increments on the production on fruits of 6520, 15827 and 10247 kg.ha^-1in yield were obtained compared with the control treatment. It is concluded that pineapple fruit production could be incremented with nitrogen application doses at 200 kg.ha^-1.

Keywords : Natural fertility; soil management; yield; Ananas comosus.