Growth, yield, nutrient accumulation and export and thermal sum of Italian zucchini

ABSTRACT Studies on plant nutrition are essential for a correct fertilizer management, improving yield and quality of the product, and it also may contribute for an updating recommendation. The aim of this study was to evaluate growth, nutrient accumulation and export, thermal sum and yield of zucchini cultivar Corona F1. The experiment was carried out from August 8 to October 25, 2013, in Santo Antônio de Posse, São Paulo State. At the end of the research, 84 days after transplanting (DAT), we observed 95 cm average height with 36 leaves and 45.8 t ha-1 maximum yield. The nutrient accumulation, in g plant-1, was: N (14.2) > K (9.3) > Ca (8.0) > Mg (2.5) > S (1.2) > P (0.9) and in mg plant-1, Mn (49.3) > Fe (34.9) > Zn (19.6) > B (16.4) > Cu (2.1) and export, in kg ha-1, was N (94.9) > K (44.1) > Ca (43.0) > Mg (12.6) > S (6.3 ) > P (5.3), in g ha-1, Mn (271.0) > Fe (159.2) > Zn (105.6) > B (82.8) > Cu (11.9). The highest nutrient demand occurred between 40 and 50 DAT. Cultivar Corona F1 cycle was completed within 1.538 degree-days.