A differential Response of Physic Nut Genotypes Regarding Phosphorus Absorption and Utilization is Evidenced by a Comprehensive Nutrition Efficiency Analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional efficiency of phosphorus in physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) genotypes, under controlled conditions. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, in a factorial scheme 10 x 2, using ten physic nut genotypes, two levels of phosphorus available in the soil (10 and 60 mg dm-3), and four replications. Cultivation consisted of a period of 100 days, with vegetative growth being evaluated in each experimental plot, with the dry matter mass values, phosphorus contents in the vegetative parts, nutritional efficiency indices, and alpha parameter also being obtained. The results show that the physic nut genotypes present greater vegetative growth, dry matter mass accumulation, P content, absorption efficiency and translocation at the high level of phosphorus available in the soil. Genotype CNPAE-C2 is the most efficient and responsive to phosphoric fertilization.