Evaluación del estado nutricional del cultivo de jamaica (hibiscus sabdariffa) mediante métodos de extracción total y correlaciones entre nutrientes aplicados en diferentes dosis de fertilización edáfica.

Abstract

The cultivation of Jamaica (Hibiscus Sabdariffa) requires precise nutritional management, as its development and quality largely depend on the availability of both macronutrients and micronutrients in the soil. The study aimed to investigate how different levels of fertilization affect nutrient absorption in the plants, with the objective of optimizing these practices to improve productivity. The study was conducted at the "Santa Inés" experimental farm of the Technical University of Machala, using a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with four fertilization treatments (0%, 100%, 150%, 200%) applied in four replicates. Seeds of the African variety of Jamaica were sown in an inert substrate to avoid interference from soil nutrients. Nutrient concentration data in leaves, stems, petioles, and fruits were collected and analyzed using total extraction methods in the laboratory and statistical analysis, including ANOVA, mean comparison by Tukey’s test, and correlation tests. The results showed that fertilization has a significant impact on nutrient concentrations in the different plant organs. It was found that the 150% dose was the most effective for NO3- extraction in petioles and leaves, while the 200% dose maximized NH4+ and K+ extraction in stems and fruits. However, it was observed that over-fertilization does not always provide additional benefits and, in some cases, may reduce nutrient absorption efficiency. The foliar-soil correlations revealed a strong relationship for NO3-, while for K+ and Ca++, the relationship was quadratic, suggesting non-linear behavior in the absorption of these nutrients. The research concludes that balanced fertilization management is crucial to optimize the nutritional status and yield of the Jamaica crop. Fertilization doses should be precisely adjusted to maximize nutrient absorption without incurring over-fertilization, which could negatively impact the efficiency and sustainability of the crop. Additionally, the correlations obtained provide important guidance for adjusting fertilization practices based on the specific needs of the crop at different developmental stages.