MINERAL NUTRIENT CONTENT OF TOMATO PLANTS IN AQUAPONIC AND HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS: EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF SOME MACRO- AND MICRO-NUTRIENTS

Effects of foliar applications of some micro- and macro-nutrients on mineral nutrient content of tomato leaves and fruits were investigated in an aquaponic system in comparison with a hydroponic system. Fourteen days old tomatoes seedlings were transplanted on to growth bed of aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Foliar nutrients application began 30 days after transplantation. Eight treatments were used, untreated control and foliar application at the rate of 250 mL plant^?1 with 0.5 g L^?1 potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄ 7H₂O), ferrous (Fe)- ethylenediamine-N,N′-bis (EDDHA), manganese sulfate (MnSO₄ H₂O), boric acid (H₃BO₃), zinc chloride (ZnCl₂), and copper sulfate (CuSO₄ 5H₂O). Foliar application of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) increased their corresponding concentrations in the leaves of aquaponic-treated plants. On the other hand, foliar spray of K, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu caused a significant increment of applied element concentrations in the fruits of hydroponic-grown plants. These findings indicated that foliar application of some elements can effectively alleviate nutrient deficiencies in the leaves of tomatoes grown on aquaponics.     

豫西地区红富士苹果叶片营养诊断

通过22个有代表性果园苹果叶片矿质营养分析,采用诊断施肥综合法（DRIS）对豫西红富士苹果进行了叶片营养诊断。结果表明,豫西红富士苹果叶片N、P、K、Fe、Mn、Cu、Zn的适宜含量分别为:22.54±3.00 g/kg、2.42±0.28 g/kg、9.31±1.40 g/kg、104.47±15.03 mg/kg、33.89±5.77 mg/kg、3.38±0.39 mg/kg、29.71±4.91 mg/kg,N:P:K的适宜比例为1:0.08～0.14:0.31～0.55。DRIS诊断参数确定为N/P、K/N、K/P、Cu/N、P/Mn、Cu/P、P/Zn、K/Fe、K/Cu、Zn/N和K/Zn,这11种比例关系的变异程度均表现出低产园（变异系数范围为20.44％～40.82％）明显高于高产园（变异系数范围为8.69％～23.95％）;高产园和低产园的营养不平衡指数（NII）分别为39和88。对Fe、Mn和Zn元素需求强度较大的果园分别占供试果园的86％、82％和50％。相对于高产园,低产园元素间关系较不平衡;总体而言,豫西红富士苹果园需求强度较大的元素是Fe、Mn或Zn,其次是N或P。     

Correlations Between Soil Exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Mature Biological Olive Groves (Olea europaea L., cv. ‘Chondrolia Chalkidikis’)

Leaf and soil samples were taken and analyzed from two mature biological olive groves (Olea europaea L., cv. ‘Chondrolia Chalkidikis’), in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Northern Greece, in order to determine the correlations between soil exchangeable cations and foliar calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) concentrations, and the interrelations among leaf nutrients. Τhe nutritional requirements of trees for both biological groves were exclusively based on patent kali supply and nutrient recycling (via pruning material and weed cut recycling). Foliar K, Ca and Mg were positively correlated with soil exchangeable K, Ca and Mg, in the 40–60 cm layer, then in the 20–40 cm layer. Synergistic uptake mechanisms among Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ probably exist. Leaf N was negatively correlated with foliar K, and positively with leaf Ca, Mg and manganese (Mn). Foliar P was negatively correlated with leaf Ca, Mg and Mn, while foliar Ca was positively correlated with leaf Mg and Mn. Foliar Mg was positively related with leaf Mn. High phosphorus (P) may decrease leaf Ca, Mg and Mn. Enhanced Ca may increase leaf Mg and Mn, while high Mg may also enhance foliar Mn. Finally, based on the determination of foliar nutrient concentrations, the nutritional requirements of olive trees in Ca, Mg, K, P, Fe, Zn were sufficiently (or over-sufficiently) satisfied. However, additional organic fertilization is needed, in order to achieve optimum levels of N, B and Mn (since their foliar concentrations were slightly insufficient). The correlations between leaf and soil exchangeable Ca, Mg and K, as well as among foliar nutrients should be taken into consideration, in order to achieve successful organic fertilization for mature biological olive groves, and to avoid nutritional imbalances and disorders.     

Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges in Mango Using Boundary-Line Approach and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis Norms in El-Salhiya,Egypt

Nutrient sufficiency ranges are useful for diagnosing and correcting plant nutritional status in order to optimize yield and protect the environment. This study was conducted to determine nutrient sufficiency ranges for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in mango trees grown in El-Salhiya, Egypt, through boundary-line approach (BLA) and compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) technique. For this purpose, foliar samples from 310 mango trees were collected during two successive years from the study area and fruit yields were recorded. The nutrient sufficiency ranges generated by BLA were 0.744–1.430% for N, 0.074–0.142% for P, 0.543–1.045% for K, 1.366–2.653% for Ca, 0.155–0.305% for Mg, 389–1148 ppm for Fe, 23.1–60.5 ppm for Mn, 28.4–56.3 ppm for Zn, and 2.37–12.10 ppm for Cu. The CND-derived nutrient sufficiency ranges were 0.917–1.215% for N, 0.066–0.106% for P, 0.585–0.943% for K, 1.003–2.077% for Ca, 0.112–0.378% for Mg, 277.5–849.2 ppm for Fe, 27.9–82.4 ppm for Mn, 29.2–44.6 ppm for Zn, and 2.42–11.37 ppm for Cu. The optimum nutrient concentrations generated from BLA were in general comparable to those obtained using CND technique. Only Ca and Fe optimum concentrations showed poor match. Seven significant nutrient interactions were strongly evidenced through principal component analysis of the computed CND indexes. The positive interaction was P-K, while the negative interactions were P-Mg, K-Mg, Ca-Zn, P-Fe, K-Fe, and Zn-Cu.     

Mineral nutrition during establishment of golden delicious ‘smoothee’ apples on dwarfing rootstocks and interstems

This study was conducted to determine the influence of 4 interstems (EM.27 EMLA, Mark, M.9 EMLA, and EM.26 EMLA) and 8 rootstocks (EM.27 EMLA, Mark, M.9 EMLA, EM.26 EMLA, M.7A, MM. 106 EMLA, MM. 111 EMLA, and seedling) with and without interstems on foliar element concentrations [nitrogen (N,) phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), boron (B)] of the Golden Delicious ‘Smoothee’ (Malus domestica, Borkh). The trees were planted in 1990 and the experiment was conducted until 1996. Soil pH was low (pH=5.9) before planting but liming raised the pH to 6.5 by the 4th year after planting. Soil P was adequate, K and Mg were high, and Ca was low based on local recommendations for apples. The year by year variation in foliar element concentrations was much higher than rootstock and interstem effects. Differences among interstems and rootstocks were important as foliar element concentrations approached those of deficiency or toxicity. In this study, K decreased to deficiency concentrations by the end of the experiment except for seedling rootstocks, which slightly increased. Foliar Ca was deficient for all interstems and rootstocks at the start of the experiment, but increased extensively for M.9 EMLA and EM.26 EMLA rootstocks across years. Foliar Mn increased to nearly toxic concentrations (300 μg g^‐1) in EM.27 EMLA and Mark rootstocks, whereas the other rootstocks did not. No deficiency or toxicity symptoms were noted for any elements during this study. These results indicate that a single range of foliar nutrient concentrations can be used as an aid for determining fertilization rates for the apple rootstocks and interstems used in this study. However, individual rootstocks vary in the rate at which they approach toxicity and deficiency concentrations, which needs to be known to prevent mineral nutritional related problems in commercial apple orchards.     

Diagnosis of Nutrient Constraints in Citrus Orchards of Humid Tropical India

ABSTRACT

Citrus growing in humid, tropical India is concentrated in east to northeast India. The region is well known for large-scale commercial cultivation of Citrus reticulata Blanco, cultivar ‘Khasi,’ mandarin. Extensive surveys were conducted covering as many as 108 orchards from 52 locations representing eight states, namely West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur. Expressed in milligrams per kilogram, the optimum values for available nutrients in soil were determined to be as: nitrogen (N) (220.8–240.6), phosphorus (P) (21.2–45.6), potassium (K) (252.2–300.8), calcium (Ca) (278.1–318.6), magnesium (Mg) (67.2–92.5), iron (Fe) (82.2–114.6), manganese (Mn) (21.4–32.8), copper (Cu) (0.82–2.62), and zinc (Zn) (2.18–4.22) using multivariate quadratic regression analysis. The corresponding leaf-nutrient values, expressed in percent, were: N (2.23–2.49), P (0.10–0.11), K (1.86–2.12), Ca (2.12–2.32), and Mg (0.28–0.38), and in ppm were Fe (148.2–179.8), Mn (72.2–84.8), Cu (10.4–18.6), and Zn (24.2–38.8). These reference values of soil and leaf analysis were later observed to be well within the range of values obtained for high-performance orchards (45–62 kg tree^?1), confirming the hypothesis that soil fertility and leaf nutrient levels maintained under high yielding orchards could be used provisionally as nutrient diagnostics. Nutrient constraints in the form of N, P, Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn were identified using these diagnostics, which deserve a place in a fertilizer program of mandarin orchards of the region to obtain sustainable optimum fruit yield.     

GUIDE VALUES FOR ANTHURIUM (ANTHURIUM CULTORUM BIRDSEY) GROWN IN EXPANDED CLAY

Coefficients of variation and guide values of nutrients were determined for Anthurium cultorum Birdsey cvs. ‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Midori’, and ‘Tropical’ grown in expanded clay (inert medium) using drip fertigation. Fully developed leaves after freshly-cut flowers were collected as index parts for chemical analyses at two-month intervals over the period of three years (2002–2004). Investigations were conducted at two specialized commercial farms, recording optimal yielding in terms of quantity and quality. A standard nutrient solution for anthurium hydroponics was used in fertigation. Mean guide values for six analyzed cultivars of Anthurium cultorum Birdsey are (in d.m. leaves): 1.40–1.70% nitrogen (N), 0.30–0.40% phosphorus (P), 3.60–4.50% potassium (K), 1.40–1.80% calcium (Ca), 0.20–0.30% magnesium (Mg), 0.30–0.40% sulfur (S), 46.0–60.0 ppm iron (Fe), 35.0–47.0 ppm manganese (Mn), 54.0– 72.0 ppm zinc (Zn), 5.10–6.50 ppm copper (Cu), and 64.0–83.0 ppm boron (B). Guide values for cvs. ‘Baron’, ‘Choco’, ‘Pistache’, ‘President’, ‘Midori’ and ‘Tropical’ are given in the text of this paper. A diversification was shown in guide values for analyzed cultivars in relation to certain macro- and microelements. Coefficients of variation were determined for nutrient contents in index parts of plants. A very high variation (%) was found for Mn 47.5 and Zn 41.8, high for Mg 38.5, P 32.6, S 30.6, medium for Fe 29.2, Ca 28.0, Cu 23.3 and B 20.3, while low for K 11.4 and N 9.9.     

Leaf Potassium Accumulation in Olive Plants Related to Nutritional K Status,Leaf Age,and Foliar Application of Potassium Salts

Four separate experiments were carried out in greenhouse conditions from spring of 2001 to summer of 2003. The aim of this research was to study the effect of factors such as leaf age, salt type and concentration, number of foliar applications, and the nutritional status on the efficiency of foliar applications of potassium (K) in olive plants. In all experiments, mist-rooted ‘Picual’ olive plants growing in 2 L pots containing perlite were fertigated with a complete nutrient solution containing 0.05 mM or 2.5 mM potassium chloride (KCl). In one experiment, plants received two foliar applications with five concentrations of KCl (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, or 8%) at 63 and 84 days after transplanting. Foliar KCl applications at 2% or 4% increased shoot lengths and the K content of plants fertigated with 0.05 mM KCl (poor K nourished), while foliar KCl application did not have any influence on the growth or K content of plants fertigated with 2.5 mM KCl (normal K nourished). When the number of foliar applications was increased, the results showed that two foliar applications were enough to increase leaf K concentration in olive plants above the sufficiency level. Leaf age could influence the efficiency of foliar K application. Leaf K concentration were higher in young leaves than in mature ones. All K-salts studied as foliar sprays [KCl, potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), potassium nitrate (KNO₃), potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), and potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄)] were effective in increasing leaf K concentration. The results obtained in the present study indicate that foliar applications of K effectively increase K content in K-deficient olive plants, and that foliar applications might be more effective on young leaves. Two foliar applications of 4% KCl or the equivalent for other salts are enough to increase leaf K concentration.     

FOLIAR APPLICATION OF ZINC INFLUENCES THE LEAF MINERAL STATUS,VEGETATIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE GROWTH,YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF ‘KINNOW’ MANDARIN

Deficiency of zinc (Zn) is widespread in many citrus orchards of Pakistan, consequently hampering fruit yield. Effects of foliar applications of zinc sulfate on tree nutrition, growth, productivity and fruit quality were studied on ‘Kinnow’ mandarin. Leaf nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), and manganese (Mn) were highest for trees sprayed with 0.2% zinc sulfate, while phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) were highest with 0.6% zinc sulfate and potassium (K) and Zn were highest with 0.8% Zn sulfate applications. Trees sprayed with 0.6% zinc sulfate exhibited highest increase in height, crown width and stem girth, fruit diameter, fruit weight, ascorbic acid contents, and total phenolics compared to all other treatments. Pre-harvest fruit drop was lowest and total number and weight of fruit per tree was highest at harvest with 0.4% zinc sulfate application. In conclusion, foliar application of zinc sulfate up to 0.6% improved tree mineral nutrients, growth, and productivity with better fruit quality in ‘Kinnow’ mandarin.     

Time of Day Effect on Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Corn and Soybean

Foliar nutrient concentrations vary during the day. Field research was conducted to quantify and better understand this variation in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) with foliar sampling during the vegetative and reproductive stages. Time of day effects occurred inconsistently across nutrients. Nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) foliar concentrations were generally high early in the day. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) foliar concentrations varied inconsistently with time of day, while concentrations of boron (B) in both crops and copper (Cu) in corn were not affected. Limiting foliar sampling to after 10:00 AM reduced the variation for soybean but not for corn. Interpretation by Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) did not reduce the time of day effect. The variation caused by time of day, along with other causes, affects confidence in interpretation of foliar results suggesting use of the information with either additional foliar sampling or soil testing in making nutrient management decisions.     

RESPONSE OF ‘GRANNY SMITH’ APPLE TREES TO FOLIAR TITANIUM SPRAYS UNDER CONDITIONS OF LOW SOIL AVAILABILITY OF IRON,MANGANESE, AND ZINC

The aim of the study was to examine impact of foliar titanium (Ti) sprays on vegetative and reproductive response of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees under conditions of low soil availability of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). The experiment was conducted during 2005–2006 at a Experimental Station in Isparta region, Turkey, on mature ‘Granny Smith’ apple trees/M.9, planted at a spacing of 3.5 × 1.5 m, on fine-textured soil with neutral reaction, medium status of organic matter, high amounts of available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), and low availability of Fe, Mn, and Zn. The trees were sprayed with Ti-ascorbate at the green and pink bud stage, petal fall, and 3, 6, and 9 weeks after full bloom, at a rate of 3 g Ti ha^?1 per spray. The efficiency of Ti sprays was compared to combined sprays of Fe, Mn, and Zn [chelated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)], applied at the same terms as Ti sprays, at rate of 36 g, 36 g and 24 g per spray, respectively. Trees unsprayed with Ti, Fe, Mn, and Zn served as the control. It was shown that summer leaf Ti concentrations of the trees untreated with Ti were high, varying from 34 to 36 mg kg^?1 dry matter. Foliar Ti sprays increased leaf status of this nutrient but they had no effect on nutrition of essential macro- and microelements, tree vigor, and fruit yield. Mean apple weight, coloring, firmness, soluble solids concentration, and titratable acidity of fruit were not also influenced by Ti sprays. Foliar sprays of Fe, Mn, and Zn improved leaf status of nitrogen (N), Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn; leaves of the trees sprayed with those micronutrients were also greener, and contained more Fe²⁺ than those of the control plants. Combined sprays of Fe, Mn, and Zn improved tree vigor and fruit yield.     

DRIS and Sufficient Range Approaches in Nutritional Diagnosis of “Valencia” Sweet Orange on Three Rootstocks

Abstract

Among several methods of diagnosis for nutritional status, two are more important: the Sufficiency range approach (SRA) and the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS). This research compared DRIS with SRA, the diagnostic method currently used by the citrus industry in São Paulo State, Brazil. The study was conducted in irrigated, commercial groves of “Valencia” sweet orange more than six years old and with yield above 40 t ha^{? 1} in Mogi Guaçú, São Paulo State. Data pertaining to yield, tree spacing, rootstock, and foliar concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) in non-fruiting terminals for each plot were processed for the years 1994 through 1998. DRIS indices were calculated by the Jones method of the intermediate functions. Index of nutritional balance (INB) was calculated by the average of the sum (disregarding the sign) of all nutritional index values and the dry matter index. Results indicated that, for the conditions of this experiment: (1) DRIS, when compared with the SRA, complements nutritional diagnosis because it establishes an order of deficiency or excess for each nutrient and detects deficiencies or excesses not considered by SRA; (2) There was agreement between the two methods for nutritional diagnosis of K; (3) Cu, Mn, and Fe concentrations were determined as deficient by DRIS, but were classified as adequate or excessive by SRA.     

Monitoring Nutrient Status of Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) Fruit Trees in Semi-arid and Arid Regions of Northwest India through Diagnostic Recommendation and Integrated System Approach

The Diagnostic Recommendation and Integrated System (DRIS) was employed to interpret nutrient analyses of leaf tissues from ber fruit tree orchards grown in semi-arid and arid areas of Punjab in northwest India. The DRIS norms were established for various nutrient ratios obtained from the high-yield population and were used to compute DRIS indices, which assessed nutrient balance and their orders of limitation to yield. Nutrient sufficiency ranges derived from DRIS norms were 0.688–1.648%, 0.184–0.339%, 1.178–1.855%, 1.064–1.768%, 0.234–0.391%, and 0.124–0.180% for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) and were 55–205, 26–80, 17–33, and 5–11 mg kg^?1 for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), respectively. According to these DRIS-derived sufficiency ranges, 79%, 76%, 76%, 75%, 84%, and 72% of samples were sufficient, whereas 13%, 15%, 21%, 14%, 7%, and 18% of total samples were low in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively. For micronutrients, 84%, 85%, 77%, and 86% of samples were sufficient, whereas 6%, 3%, 8%, and 2% of samples were low in Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, respectively.     

Influence of Foliar and Ground Fertilization on Yield,Fruit Quality,and Soil,Leaf, and Fruit Mineral Nutrients in Apple

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness of nitrogen (N)+ zinc (Zn) soil and foliar fertilizer applications on growth, yield, and quality of apple (Malus domestic Borkh ‘Golden Delicious’) fruit was studied in the Zanjan province, Iran. There were eight treatments 1) control (no fertilizer), 2) soil applied N, 3) soil applied Zn, 4) soil applied N+Zn, 5) foliar applied N, 6) foliar applied Zn, 7) foliar applied N+Zn and 8) combined soil and foliar applied N+Zn. The N source was urea [CO(NH₂)₂, 46% N] applied at 276 N tree^{? 1} yr^?1 and the Zn source was zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄,7H₂0, 23% Zn) applied at 110 g Zn tree^{? 1} yr^{? 1}. The soil treatments of N and Zn, were applied every two weeks during June through August (total of 6 times/year) in a 1 m radius around the tree trunk (drip line of trees). The foliar solutions of N (10 g l^{? 1} urea) and Zn [8 g l^{? 1} zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄)] were sprayed at the rate of 10 L tree^{? 1} every two weeks at the same times as described for soil applications. The highest yield (49 kg tree^{? 1}), and the heaviest fruits (202 g) were obtained in the soil and foliar combination of N+Zn treatment. The lowest yield (35 kg tree^{? 1}), and the smallest fruits (175 g) were recorded in the control. Nitrogen, and to a lesser extent Zn, foliar application resulted in decreasing fruit quality (caused russeting, and lower soluble solid), but increasing N leaf and fruit concentrations (2.4% DW and 563 mg kg^{? 1}, respectively). There were significant differences among yield and leaf mineral nutrient concentration in different treatments. But there was no significant difference between fruit mineral nutrient concentration (except N). Ratio of N/calcium (Ca), potassium (K)/Ca, and [magnesium (Mg)+K]/Ca in fruits were found suitable for fruit quality prediction. Combining the zinc sulfate with urea in the foliar applications increased the concentration of Zn from 0.7 to 1.5 mg per kg of apple tissue. Leaf N concentration varied during growth season. Foliar applied nutrient can be more efficient than soil applied, but a combination of soil and foliar applications is recommended for apple tree nutrient management.     

Standardization of Litchi Leaf Nutrient Composition for Tissue Analysis in Sub Tropics of India

ABSTRACT

Variation in leaf nutrient composition with leaf age and position of leaflets was assessed for ‘Calcuttia’ and ‘Dehradun’ litchi cultivars under loam to sandy loam soils of north India. Leaf samples were collected from first to sixth pair of leaflets starting from the apex of terminal shoots to downward positions during December to May at monthly intervals at two locations for three successive years. The leaves were analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn concentrations. In both litchi cultivars, leaf N, P, Zn and Cu contents remained more in young leaves; whereas, leaf Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe contents were observed higher in older leaves. Leaf K concentration exhibited inconsistent patterns; however, leaf K concentration in pair of leaflets on the shoot declined basipetal, being maximum in upper pair of leaflets and minimum in lower pair of leaflets. Levels of macro and micronutrients exhibited a degree of stability at second and third pair of leaflets when sampled during February–March. Leaf compositions differed significantly during active vegetative growth, flowering, and fruit development. The results revealed that 4–5 months old leaves from autumn flush at second and third pair of leaflets from the apex of terminal litchi shoots at the advent of panicle initiation (February–March) should be collected to assess the nutritional concentrations of litchi orchards under North India conditions.     

DRIS norms and limiting nutrients in banana cultivation in the South of Ecuador

Abstract

Foliar analysis is an effective method to diagnose the nutritional status of plants. However, the mineral concentration in foliar tissue has traditionally been evaluated by assessing the activity of each element, without considering the interactions between them. To address this, dual interactions were calculated using the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) to identify which crop nutrients are most influential in nutrient imbalances and which are the most limiting nutrients for the nutritional status of banana crops in Ecuador. To achieve this, a regional survey of the nutritional status and its productivity levels was conducted for 188 different sites during the crop season in 2017–2018, involving banana cultivars ‘Vallery’ and ‘Williams’, from the Cavendish subgroup. The DRIS calculation method was combined with Beaufils and Jones functions. From the initial 188 foliar samples, 83 samples (representing 44% of the population) were considered to represent the high-yield reference population, with yields of 38–60 t ha^?1. The DRIS method defined the mean nutritional balance index, which was not found to be statistically correlated (p?>?0.05) with productivity, revealing that there was no significant association with the nutritional status of the plants. Specific DRIS norms were obtained and indicated that deficiencies in K, N, Ca, and Fe, and excesses in Mn, B, Cl, Zn, S, Cu, and Mg were the most limiting nutrients for banana cultivars in the south of Ecuador.     

Foliar nutrient status of field grown tissue cultured and budded Apple trees

Nutrient concentrations in leaves of self‐rooted apple trees propagated by tissue culture (TC) were compared to the same cultivars budded on seedling, MM 106, and M.26 rootstock planted at two sites, Beltsville, MD and Kearneysville, WV. Leaf samples were monitored annually for 3 years after planting for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, B, Zn and Al from ‘Ozark Gold’ and ‘Stayman’ apples at both sites and ‘Northern Spy’ at Beltsville only. Leaf K and Mn concentrations tended to be higher in trees on M.26 and MM 106, while Ca was higher in TC or seedling trees. Foliar Mg was lower in trees budded on MM 106. Variation in P concentrations was greatest over years, while leaf N and Fe displayed only slight variation among rootstocks. Leaf B and Zn did not exhibit any consistent trends and Cu and Al were not affected by year, rootstock, cultivar or site.     

FLORAL ANALYSIS AS A NEW APPROACH TO EVALUATE THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF OLIVE TREES

The main objective of this work was to evaluate if inflorescence analysis could be considered as an alternative to foliar diagnosis in determining the nutritional status of the olive orchards. Olive leaves from ‘Arbequina’ and ‘Chetoui’ cultivars in irrigated and rained systems were sampled within 8 phenological growth stages (dormant inflorescence bud, cluster development, petals whitening, fruit set, fruit development, stone hardening, fruit color break, and fruit ripening) from different sites of Tunisia during 2006 and 2007. Inflorescence samples were taken at petal whitening stage. Results showed that when ignoring the site of experimentation, some significant correlations were obtained between leaves and inflorescence during both years for ‘Arbequina’, at the stone hardening stage: standard date for leaf sampling, for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn). Further work is required to assess the possibility of using inflorescence analysis to diagnose the nutritional status of olive trees.     

Increased yield of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) by foliar fertilization through multi-component fertilizers

Foliar application of fertilizers can guarantee the availability of nutrients to rice for obtaining higher yield. Rice responds favorably to macro- and micronutrients and the tolerance to salinity hazards improves by decreasing the N/S ratio. In this study, results showed that nutrient concentrations (g L^?1) for rice are: nitrogen (N) 108.0, phosphorous (P₂O₅) 6, potassium (K₂O) 81.0, calcium (CaO) 15.0, and magnesium (MgO) 6 g L^?1; and for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cupper (Cu), boron (B), molybdenum (Mo) and silicon (Si) the recommended concentrations are 0.6, 0.45, 0.21, 0.06, 0.09, 0.0002 and 0.004 g L^?1, respectively. A significant increase was recorded in number of panicles m^?2, 1000 grain weight, biological yield and grain yield with foliar application of nutrients. Five foliar applications of nutrients resulted in maximum number of panicles m^?2, grains panicle^?1, 1000 grain weight and biological yield. It is concluded that five foliar applications of balanced amounts of fertilizers at the seedling stage (two sprays), tillering (single spray) and at panicle initiation and panicle differentiation (two sprays) helped in enhancing yield and yield components of rice. In this research, five foliar applications produced the smallest damaging effects of blast (Pyricularia oryzae) in rice.     

Response of Zweigelt Grapevine to Foliar Application of Potassium Fertilizer: Effects on Gas Exchange,Leaf Potassium Content,and Incidence of Traubenwelke

Zweigelt grapes have recently become susceptible to infestation with Traubenwelke (grape wilting) and the susceptibility has been assumed to be related to potassium (K) deficiency. The aim of the studies was to determine the effects of foliar application of K on leaf K content, leaf gas exchange, and on infestation of grapes with Traubenwelke. Three foliar fertilizers of K (Agripotash, 27.4% K; Nutrileaf, 33.2% K; and KNO₃, 38.7% K) and one of magnesium (Mg) (Agrovit Mg, 4.8% Mg) were tested on grapevines (Vitis vinifera, L. cv. ‘Zweigelt’) in field studies in 2003 and 2004. Foliar analysis showed that the tested foliar fertilizers had no effect on leaf K content in either year. Furthermore, the frequency of infestation with grape wilting was not reduced by K fertilizers. Measurements of leaf gas exchange in 2004 showed that all fertilizer treatments reduced photosynthesis (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) compared with the untreated control.