The use of guava seedlings with adequate nutritional status determines the success of an orchard installation. This study was conducted to determine plant growth and macronutrient accumulation in herbaceous seedlings of two guava cultivars. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design in split-plots with three replications. Plots consisted of the two guava cultivars (Paluma and Século XXI) in nutrient solution and the sub-plots were the seven sampling dates in a 120 day period. Plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area and dry mass (leaves, stem and roots) were determined biweekly. The accumulation of macronutrients was determined in the different plant organs. A quadratic dry mass accumulation was observed with plant age. The macronutrient requirement of cultivar Século XXI was higher than that of Paluma, and the period of highest demand is after 75 and 45 days, respectively. The accumulation of macronutrients (mg/plant) in the cultivars Paluma and Século XXI was, respectively: K: 726 and 696; N: 552 and 585; Ca: 293 and 302; S: 73 and 66; P: 64 and 66; and Mg: 39 and 41.
mineral nutrition; nutrient acumulation; nutritional requirements; macronutrients; Psidium guajava
