Compositional nutrient diagnosis in sugar beet with sodium supplementation

A plant stress is related both to deficiency of a particular nutrient and to inadequate relationships between nutrients. The objective of the study was to assess the sugar beet nutritional status in response to sodium chloride (NaCl) application. Plant sampling was conducted at two early stages of beet growth (7-leaf – BBCH 17, and well-developed rosette – BBCH 43). The white sugar yield (WSY) was used as an evaluation criterion. The data used in this study originate from a set of 20 field experiments, conducted in years with a significant shortage of precipitation. Each trial was consisted of control (NPK) and a plot with 50 kg Na ha^?1 (NPK+Na). The nutrient concentration approach and the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis, based on centered log ratios (CND-clr), were used to evaluate sugar beet nutritional status. The effect of sodium (Na) was evaluated within two subsets of fields: NR – without, and R – with a significant increase in WSYs. The CND-clr indices for Na increased, but for K, Ca and Mg decreased along with Na application, irrespective of the growth stage and subset of fields. However, Na application improved relation between nutrients in fields responding to sodium application, especially at BBCH 43.     

Diagnosis of nutrient imbalance in pomegranate by diagnosis and recommendation integrated system and compositional nutrient diagnosis

Abstract

A regional survey was conducted in commercial orchards of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in order to develop diagnostic norms and for evaluation of yield limiting nutrients in low yielding orchards. The leaf nutrient status was interpreted using Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND). The correlation structure among the nutrients was extracted by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The departure of DRIS indices from their CND counterparts was relatively small and a highly significant positive correlation was obtained between DRIS and CND indices. The three principal components explained 59.5% of the variation in the high yielding population and the designated PCS were (N+S+Zn+Fe‐Mn‐), (N+P+Ca+Zn‐), and (K‐S+). Pomegranate is mainly grown on marginal soils with low fertility and hence more than two or three nutrients were found to be limiting yields. However, nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) were the most common yield limiting nutrients. The DRIS and CND indices for low‐yielding orchards are reported and discussed.     

Spatial Variability Studies in Banana for Identification of Nutrient Imbalance Using Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System

Spatial variability of soil properties and accompanying variability in plant nutrient concentrations in a banana growing enterprise were mapped using Geographic Information Service (GIS) technique to test the diagnostic sensitivity of Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) system. Variogram models of soil properties indicated that most of the properties exhibited definable spatial structures. The pH, available nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) showed strong spatial dependence, whereas available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) showed moderate dependence. Most of the plant nutrients exhibited higher nugget/sill ratio indicating often mismatch between soil available nutrient and plant nutrient concentrations. DRIS indices showed high diagnostic sensitivity for N, P, K, Ca, and Fe. Application of GIS for nutrient mapping along with DRIS was found useful for identification of yield limiting nutrients in soil and plant for developing nutrient management strategies.     

Evaluating soy‐dris for predicting manganese deficiency and sufficiency

Abstract

Better diagnostic tools are needed to predict Mn deficiency and sufficiency to ensure maximum yield with the minimum of fertilizer inputs. An alternative to the sufficiency range method (SRM) is to use the balance of nutrients approach as in the DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) method. A computer program has been developed as a diagnostic tool with plant nutrient levels as inputs and plant indices as outputs that indicate which element is most deficient. This program, SOY‐DRIS, was evaluated for Mn predictions using plant data from four field experiments. Data for check plots (0 Mn) for each non‐Mn treatment were used as input for the program and the Mn index indicating deficiency or sufficiency was the output. The predicted deficiencies and sufficiencies were tested against yield responses to Mn. Of 74 check plots, SOY‐DRIS correctly diagnosed the Mn nutrient status in 62 cases. There were 32 true positives (Mn deficient) and 30 true negatives (Mn sufficient) indicating that both deficiency and sufficiency were accurately predicted. If borderline cases and cases where insufficient Mn was added to give a yield response were eliminated, only one incorrect diagnosis was made giving a 99% correct diagnosis by the SOY‐DRIS program. The SRM gave results nearly identical tothe SOY‐DRIS progam.     

Identification of Yield‐Limiting Nutrients in Mango through DRIS Indices

Abstract

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indices were developed to identify and prioritize the yield‐limiting nutrients in mango orchards (cv. Baneshan) in Andhra Pradesh, India. The forms of expressions selected for computing the DRIS indices varied from the young (<20 years old) to aged (>20 years old) trees. The DRIS indices could reflect the long‐term variations of different doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) application in mango, thereby showing the sensitivity of the newly developed DRIS indices to fertilization practices. The nutrients identified as yield limiting by DRIS indices were observed to be not totally independent of the age of sampled tissue. The same nutrient was observed to be most yield limiting in 24.2% of sampled trees after a gap of 3 months. Similarly, the same nutrient was identified as one of the first two yield‐limiting nutrients in 52.2% of sampled trees. The validity of the newly developed DRIS indices was tested by applying two of the most yield‐limiting nutrients in 88 and 46 cases of young and aged trees. The yield‐limitation due to individual nutrients was either totally eliminated or changed in ranking in 96.0 and 93.5% of the young and aged trees, respectively, after the application of yield‐limiting nutrients, as indicated by the newly developed DRIS indices. The increase in the fruit yield with the application of yield‐limiting nutrients identified by the DRIS indices varied from 11.5 to 45.9% in young trees and from 15.2 to 34.0% in aged trees over the control.     

Identifying nutrient imbalances in pomegranate (Cv. Bhagwa) at different phonological stages by the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system

The diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) approach was used to interpret nutrient analyses of leaf tissues from pomegranate cv. Bhagwa orchards grown in southwestern Maharashtra, India. The DRIS norms were established for three growth stages,viz. 50% flowering, fruit development and first harvesting of pomegranate. Various nutrient ratios were obtained from high-yielding population and were used to compute DRIS indices for diagnosing nutrient imbalances and their order of limitation to yield. Nutrient sufficiency ranges at 50% flowering derived from DRIS norms were 1.32–2.15% nitrogen (N), 0.18–0.24% phosphorus (P), 1.29–1.99% potassium (K), 0.64–1.20% calcium (Ca), 0.23–0.45% magnesium (Mg), 0.16–0.26% sulfur (S), 103.04–149.12 mg kg^?1 iron (Fe), 39.60–72.85 mg kg^?1 manganese (Mn), 15.99–26.10 mg kg^?1 zinc (Zn), 6.16–9.32 mg kg^?1 copper (Cu), 23.38–39.88 mg kg^?1 boron (B) and 0.29–0.47 mg kg^?1 molybdenum (Mo). Similarly, the sufficiency range at fruit development and first harvesting was developed for computing DRIS indices. The requirement of Fe, Mg, S, Zn and N by the pomegranate plant was higher at 50% flowering and fruit development stages. According to these DRIS-derived indices, 87.85, 73.83, 70.09, 69.16 and 65.42% orchards were deficient in Fe, S, Mg, Zn, and N, respectively, at 50% flowering, while 70.03, 66.36, 63.55, 61.68, and 68.22% orchards were found to be deficient in respective nutrients during the fruit development stage.     

Dris evaluation of n,p, k status of determinent soybeans in Brazil

Abstract

The Diagnois and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has advantage over the critical value method to assess the state of nutrient balance of plants because it utilizes nutrient ratio relationships. The DRIS method was evaluated utilizing 3 data sets of N, P, and K foliar analyses of determinent soybeans from P‐response experiments in Brazil. Evaluation of data sets collected at growth stage R‐2 resulted in lowest calculated DRIS sum, an indication of highest degree of nutrient balance, to conform to highest yield. The DRIS method proved useful as a analytical tool to evaluate responsiveness of soybeans to phosphorus fertilizer materials. Foliar analyses of plants approaching maturity, R‐7, would indicate a different order of nutrient requirements than when collected at growth stages R‐2 or R‐5. This would suggest that DRIS, as a nutrient status evaluation instru‐ ment, also has limitations as to plant age. The order of requirement appears to account for judgement of high and low levels of nutrients, but needs some additional interpretation with respect to sufficiency of nutrients. Because DRIS can be used to diagnos nutrient balance and imbalance, refinement of the method for use with annual crops should be encouraged.     

Comparison of DRIS and alternative nutrient diagnostic methods for soybean

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) provides advantages over the Sufficiency Range (SR) approach to diagnosing the nutrient status of soybean (Glycine max L.). However, a number of modifications to DRIS have been proposed, including the use of only one method for calculating nutrient indices, and incorporating nutrient concentrations. In previous research, the author found that derivation and interpretation of DRIS diagnoses could be simplified by: 1) using a logarithmic transformation of nutrient ratio data; 2) using population parameters rather than high‐yield subpopulation values; 3) using a single index calculation method; and, 4) incorporating a measure of the probability of yield response to a treatment. Diagnoses by the SR approach, DRIS, three revisions of DRIS, and two new concentration‐based diagnostic methods were compared using diagnostic norms derived from a data base of over 4000 soybean tissue analyses and yield observations. Virtually all diagnoses of the most limiting nutrient were the same, except that the SR method did not make diagnoses on 5 week‐old samples. Traditional DRIS diagnoses were the least conservative, indicating only the order in which N, P and K would likely limit yield. Revised methods, particularly the concentration‐based methods, indicated fewer limiting nutrients, and agreed well with the SR method. Yields in the test data set increased with nearly every nutrient application, so the least conservative DRIS showed the greatest yield advantage. No diagnostic method consistently identified the nutrient causing the greatest yield response as most limiting.     

NORMS FOR MULTIVARIATE DIAGNOSIS OF NUTRIENT IMBALANCE IN THE EAST AFRICAN HIGHLAND BANANAS (MUSA SPP. AAA)

Despite low yields and soil fertility problems, fertilizer use in the East African Highland banana (AAA-EA) production is absent. High fertilizer costs increase the need for site-specific fertilizer recommendations that address deficiencies. This study aimed to derive and compare norms for AAA-EA bananas, using Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND), Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), and a DRIS that includes a filling value (DRIS-R_d), and study nutrient interactions. Data on foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations, and plant performance were obtained from 300 plots in Uganda. CND indices were closely related to DRIS and DRIS-Rd indices (R² > 0.965). Four nutrient interactions were common in both low and high bunch weight subpopulations. Although the three approaches can be used to determine nutrient imbalances in AAA-EA bananas, we recommend CND for ease of use. Diagnosis of nutrient deficiencies should be based on methods that identify plant nutritional imbalances.     

Development of DRIS norms for potato in the calcareous soils of iran 1

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) has been proposed to determine nutrient balance in plants at different stages of growth. The DRIS index for each nutrient allows ranking of nutrients in order of their deficiency. Preliminary DRIS norms for potato (Solanwn tuberosum L.) were developed during the 1991 growing season in Damavand area located 70 km. northeast of Tehran. The soil and leaf samples at flowering stage (early tuber development stage) were collected from 50 different farms. Average concentrations of nutrients in both high‐ and low‐yielding populations were calculated. The following average foliar nutrient concentration were obtained from the high‐yielding populations: N = 5.22, P = 0.38, K = 4.20, Ca = 1.50, and Mg = 0.65 percent; and Fe = 150, Mn = 50, Zn = 40, Cu = 11, and B = 38 ppm. The average nutrient concentrations for the low‐yielding population were close to those in high‐yielding ones except for K which was 3.23 in contrast to 4.20‐percent. There was no significant relationship between different soil nutrient availability indices and yield except for K. The DRIS indices ranked K as the most limiting nutrient in the low yielding farms with only one exception. It seems high rates of N and P fertilization have created a lack of balance between these nutrients and K.

As a result of this study, the following appropriate norms for potato leaves are suggested for the calcareous soils of Iran: N = 4.5, P = 0.30, K= 5.00, Ca = 1.50, and Mg = 0.65 percent; and Fe = 150, Mn = 50, Zn = 40, Cu = 11, and B = 38 ppm. These results will be verified by field fertilizer experiments for N, P, K, Zn, and Fe which are some times deficient in potato soils.     

DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM (DRIS) FOR EVALUATING NUTRIENT STATUS OF COTTON (GOSSIPIUM HIRSUTUM)

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) approach was employed to monitor the nutrient status of cotton (Gossipium hirsutum) in southwestern districts of Punjab, North-West India. DRIS norms for macro, secondary and micro nutrients in cotton plant are developed. Considering these DRIS norms, the most limiting nutrient for cotton plant in the region is identified along with the order in which the other nutrients become limiting. The DRIS approach indicated that 11, 3, 8, 5, 2, 4, 2, 3, 6 and 2 percent of the total cotton leaf samples collected were low in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), respectively. Leaf tissues of cotton plant were also found to contain high to excessive content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn Zn and Cu in 11, 7, 15, 19, 25, 18, 66, 33, 9 and 25 percent samples, respectively. DRIS derived sufficiency concentration ranges obtained from survey of cotton fields in this region were 2.22 to 5.20% N, 0.20 to 0.47% P, 1.05 to 2.14% K, 1.66 to 2.86% Ca, 0.34 to 0.57% Mg, 0.65 to 1.11% S, 106 to 172 mg kg^?1 Fe, 35 to 68 mg kg^?1 Mn, 18 to 33 mg kg^?1 Zn, and 5 to 8 mg kg^?1 Cu. The results elucidate that DRIS technique can be used for macro, secondary and micro nutrients indexing of cotton crop irrespective of its cultivar.     

YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PLANT NUTRITIONAL DIAGNOSIS AT DIFFERENT PHENOLOGICAL STAGES BY THE DIAGNOSIS AND RECOMMENDATION INTEGRATED SYSTEM METHOD

This work was performed in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with the objective to evaluate the nutritional status of yellow passion fruit plants along different phenological stages, using the DRIS method. Fifty-four passion fruit cultivated areas with an annual yield productivity ranging from 6.95 to 33.8 t ha^?1 year^?1 and average productivity of 16.9 t ha^?1 year^?1 were selected in the region. The contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), chlorine (Cl), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) were evaluated. The reference standards were established (mean and variation coefficient) for the values of the nutrient concentration ratios, two by two, on samples from high yield productivity plantations and analyzed by the DRIS index of nutrients for the medium and low yield productivity areas. The established standards differed according with the phenological stage of the culture. In a general way, the mean content of the evaluated nutrients did not differed between the two productivity levels into each phonological stage. There was a difference for the Nutritional Limitation Order between different phenological stages of yellow passion fruit plants. The most negative DRIS indexes and the highest absolute values for the Average Nutritional Balance on yellow passion fruit plants in the region, were found for potassium in May, phosphorus in October and iron in January.     

Soil fertility and yield-limiting nutrients in oil palm plantations of north-eastern state Mizoram of India

A survey was conducted for assessment of soil fertility status, leaf nutrient concentration and finding yield-limiting nutrients of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations in Mizoram state situated in the northeastern part of India. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available potassium (K), available phosphorus (P) (Bray's-P), exchangeable calcium (Ca) (Exch. Ca) and magnesium (Mg) (Exch. Mg), available sulfur (S) (CaCl₂-S), and hot-water-soluble boron (B) (HWB) content in surface (0–20 cm depth) and subsurface (20–40 cm depth) soil layers varied widely. Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms were established for different nutrient expressions, and DRIS indices were computed. As per DRIS indices, the order of requirement of nutrients was found to be B > K > Mg > P > nitrogen (N). Optimum leaf nutrient ranges as per DRIS norms varied from 1.91% to 2.95%, 0.46% to 0.65%, 0.63% to 1.00%, 0.48% to 0.88%, and 9.41 to 31.0 mg kg^?1 for N, P, K, Mg, and B, respectively. On the basis of DRIS-derived optimum ranges, 32%, 9%, 27%, 12%, and 12% leaf samples had less than optimum concentration of N, P, K, Mg, and B, respectively. The optimum ranges developed could be used as a guide for routine diagnostic and advisory purpose for efficient fertilizer application.     

DRIS Norms and their Field Validation in Nagpur Mandarin

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) norms were computed from the data on leaf mineral composition, soil available nutrients, and corresponding mean fruit yield of three years (1999–2002), collected from the set of 57 irrigated commercial ‘Nagpur’ mandarin (budded on Citrus jambhiri Lush) orchards, representing 26 locations and 3 basalt derived soil orders (Entisols, Inceptisols, and Vertisols) rich in smectite minerals. The DRIS norms derived primarily from spring-cycle index leaves from non-fruiting terminals sampled during August to October (6–8 months old) suggested optimum leaf macronutrient concentration (%) as: 1.70–2.81 nitrogen (N), 0.09–0.15 phosphorus (P), 1.02–2.59 potassium (K), 1.80–3.28 calcium (Ca), and 0.43–0.92 magnesium (Mg). While, optimum level of micronutrients (ppm) was determined as: 74.9–113.4 iron (Fe), 54.8–84.6 manganese (Mn), 9.8–17.6 copper (Cu), and 13.6–29.6 zinc (Zn) in relation to fruit yield of 47.7–117.2 kg tree^{? 1}. Likewise, DRIS indices for soil fertility developed from dripline soil samples collected at 0–20 cm depth corresponding to similar level of fruit yield, the optimum limit of soil available nutrients (mg kg^{? 1}) was observed as: 94.8–154.8 N, 6.6–15.9 P, 146.6–311.9 K, 401.0–601.6 Ca, 85.2–369.6 Mg, 10.9–25.2 Fe, 7.5–23.2 Mn, 2.5–5.1 Cu, and 0.59–1.26 Zn. Primary DRIS indices developed on the basis of leaf and soil analysis revealed deficiency of N, P, K, Fe, and Zn. The nutrient constraints so diagnosed were further verified through fertilizer response studies carried out on a representative Typic Haplustert soil type facing multiple nutrient deficiencies, and accordingly suggested the revised fertilizer schedule.     

Diagnostic Leaf Nutrient Norms and Identification of Yield-Limiting Nutrients of Mango in Eastern Plateau and Hill Region of India

The leaf nutritional status of mango orchards was assessed using diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS). The DRIS norms, which showed higher variance and lower coefficients of variation, are found to have greater diagnostic precision. As per DRIS indices, a relative deficiency for magnesium, zinc, and boron corresponding to relative sufficiency for calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and potassium was detected in 9-year-old mango orchards. For the younger orchards (6–7 year old), the order of requirement of nutrients was found to be calcium > sulfur > potassium > boron > nitrogen > phosphorus > magnesium > zinc. Boron was found as the most yield-limiting elements in all age group of plants. When the DRIS indices were compared on the basis of soil pH, calcium and magnesium were most yield-limiting nutrients below pH 5.5, while nitrogen, zinc, and boron were found to be most limiting above pH 5.5.     

乙烯利和激动素对玉米茎秆抗倒伏和产量的影响

倒伏是影响玉米产量的主要原因之一,为了探明不同时期喷施不同生长调节剂对玉米抗倒伏性和产量的影响,选用玉米品种‘德美亚1号’和‘德美亚2号’为试验材料,在5、7、9展叶期分别喷施乙烯利(ETH)和激动素(KT),以喷施清水为对照,测定灌浆期基部茎秆形态、力学、化学组分及成熟后的倒伏率和产量。结果表明,与对照相比,‘德美亚1号’5展叶期喷施KT,节间直径显著增加21.11%,节间密度增加13.23%;与对照相比,‘德美亚2号’7展叶期喷施ETH,使基部节间总长度显著降低14.41%,节间直径显著增加10.70%,节间密度显著增加15.46%。‘德美亚1号’和‘德美亚2号’7展叶期喷施ETH,分别与对照相比,折断力显著增加26.04%和16.77%,穿刺强度显著增加22.77%和14.62%。‘德美亚2号’9展叶期喷施ETH,节间半纤维素、纤维素和木质素组成的化学组分总含量比对照显著增加25.49%。KT对两个品种茎秆力学影响表现不同,ETH对两个品种茎秆力学调控效果优于KT处理。两种调节剂处理均降低了两种玉米收获期的倒伏率。节间直径与折断力呈极显著正相关(r=0.905**),节间化学组分总含量和节间直径与倒伏率呈显著或极显著负相关。两个品种9展叶期喷施KT,产量比对照极显著增加22.24%和19.98%,喷施ETH对产量影响不显著。综上,KT于两个品种9展叶期喷施可显著增加产量,ETH于两个品种7展叶期喷施对抗倒伏性调控效果较好。     

Diagnosis of Nutrient Imbalance in Thompson Seedless Grape Grafted on Dog Ridge Rootstock by DRIS

Abstract

A nutrient concentration vs. yield data bank was established for vines grafted on Dog Ridge (Vitis champini) rootstock for developing DRIS ratio norms during bud differentiation stage (BDS) and flowering stages (FS). The data were further subdivided into medium‐ and low‐yielding population based on yield performance. DRIS ratio norms were developed for medium‐yielding population, while diagnoses of nutrient imbalances were made in the low-yielding population. Sixty‐six nutrient expressions were chosen as diagnostic norms. Among the nutrient ratios selected to form diagnostic parameters phosphorus/nitrogen (P/N) (0.260), potassium/nitrogen (K/N) (1.761), phosphorus/zinc (P/Zn) (0.0056) had greater physiological rationale during flowering stage. The ratios of N with P (N/P 3.42) and K (N/K 0.68) were found to be more critical during BDS. Group differences between low‐ and medium‐yielding population were determined using discriminant analysis. The nutrient concentration during FS in medium‐ and low‐yielding populations differed significantly, and magnesium (Mg) accounted for nearly 60.97% of the variation. The difference in mean nutrient concentration during BDS and FS was mainly due to Mg followed in importance by sodium (Na). During BDS Na, followed by Mg and calcium (Ca) were the most common yield‐limiting nutrient, while there was an accompanying excessive accumulation of K, manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). During FS, Fe, copper (Cu), and K were the most common yield‐limiting nutrients whereas Ca, N, and Mg were on the excessive range.     

缓/控释肥对杂交水稻根系形态、生理特性和产量的影响

以杂交中稻F优498为试验材料,采用两因素裂区试验研究4 种氮肥种类（尿素一道清、尿素常规运筹、硫包膜缓释肥、树脂包膜控释肥）在不同移栽秧龄施肥对水稻不同生育期根系形态及籽粒产量的影响。结果表明,在秧苗3叶1心、 5叶1心移栽时水稻在结实期的总根长、根系体积和根系伤流强度比7 叶1 心移栽时高。与施用尿素相比,施用缓/ 控释肥显著增加了根干重、总根长、根系体积和根系伤流强度。在不同移栽秧龄下,施用缓/控释肥均能促进水稻根系生长并向土壤深层分布,保持根系活力。相关分析表明, 水稻籽粒产量与抽穗后的根干重、总根长、根系表面积、伤流强度和10 cm以下的根系分布比例呈显著或极显著正相关。综合根系形态生理与产量表现,5 叶1心移栽、施用树脂包膜控释肥,为本试验的最佳处理。     

Effect of nitrogen and salinity levels in the nutrient solution on the DRIS diagnosis of greenhouse tomato

Abstract

Norms for the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated system (DRIS) developed for greenhouse tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) were evaluated experimentally by varying the N concentration (115, 243, and 443 mg N L^‐1 ) or the salinity level (1.4, 2.5, and 3.7 dS m^‐1 ) of the nutrient solution. Foliar samples were taken at different intervals during the season for total N, P, K, Ca and Mg analysis. The nutrient imbalance index (NII) was calculated by summing up DRIS indexes irrespective of sign. A dry matter index (DM) was included in the modified DRIS (M‐DRIS) approach as a separator between excessive or deficient nutrients. Yield of marketable fruit that accumulated over a 8 week harvest period was quadratically related to N fertilization: 115, 243, and 443 mg N L^‐1 produced 2.9, 3.3, and 2.3 kg per plant respectively. Larger than critical NII values, 82 days after transplanting, were associated with excess of N, and Mg, and Ca deficiencies. Contrary to the DRIS and M‐DRIS approaches, the critical nutrient range approach (CNR) did not indicate any N excess. In the salinity experiment, marketable yield decreased linearly with salinity: 1.4, 2.5, and 3.7 dS m^‐1 produced 3.3, 2.9, and 2.3 kg per plant, respectively. Increasing salinity caused an increase in the NII at all sampling periods. However, Nil's were always smaller than the critical NII and were inconsistent with the low yields obtained. Thus, NII was considered a poor indicator of the salt effect.