Qualidade de óleo de pinhão manso cultivado sob diferentes manejos de água e adubação potássica

Abstract

Jatropha is an oilseed with high potential for biodiesel and biofuel production. However, studies are scarce about the effect of water and nutritional requirement in the oil quality and composition. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of potassium fertilization and irrigation on the composition of jatropha oil. The treatments consisted of four potassium fertilization levels: 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg ha-1, and four irrigation levels: 0% (without irrigation), 40%, 80% and 120% of Class A pan evaporation (ECA). The experimental was design in randomized blocks with subdivided plots and four replicates. The mechanical method by pressing was used to extract oil from the seeds, using gas chromatography to obtain the oil composition. Fertilization and irrigation treatments promoted changes in the quality of jatropha seeds oil. Plants fertilized with 120 kg ha-1 of K2O and with irrigation level of 80% of ECA show the best results.