Resumo. efficiency of absorption and utilization of nutrients. There was significant interaction between doses of N and P to the concentration of P, K, Ca, Cu, Mn and Zn in shoots and N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe in the root. In seedling nutrients N and Fe were influenced only by the isolated effect of N levels, and Mg content by isolated effect of P levels. The content of all nutrients in the shoot and root was significantly influenced by the interaction between doses of N and P. The maximum doses provided greater nutrient contents in shoots, except for N and K. The micronutrients content in the shoot increased as a function of both N and P and reduced the root, except Fe. The barbatimão seedlings were more efficient at absorbing N and Zn and using P and Mg. Comparing the content, N and Ca were the nutrients that most accumulated on the plant tissues, however, those who had lower (P and Mg) were the nutrients more efficiently used.