重庆柑橘园土壤微量营养元素养分状况分析

【目的】了解重庆柑橘园土壤微量营养元素养分状况。【方法】在重庆15个柑橘主产县(区)选取567个代表性柑橘园采集土壤样本进行测定分析。【结果】果园土壤pH值变幅pH 4.1～8.7,但仅有20.99%的土壤pH适宜柑橘生长(pH值5.5～6.5),53.62%的土样pH高于6.5,并有35.63%的土样pH高于7.5。土壤有机质匮乏,有机质偏低或缺乏比例达68.79%。土壤有效Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu、B的平均含量分别为40.91 mg·kg~(-1)、15.69 mg·kg~(-1)、1.39 mg·kg~(-1)、1.06 mg·kg~(-1)、0.37mg·kg~(-1),土壤有效Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu、B含量处于适宜及以上水平的比例分别占77.08%、0.18%、53.62%、73.02%、23.28%;总体上土壤有效Fe、Cu含量水平较高,有效Zn、B含量较低,有效Mn含量缺乏。【结论】柑橘生产上应注意调节土壤pH值,结合叶片营养诊断适量补充含Mn、B、Zn的微量元素肥料或有机肥。     

‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤和树体的硼素营养与果实粒化关系分析

【目的】研究福建省平和县‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤和树体的硼素营养状况及其与果实粒化的关系。【方法】采集平和县314个蜜柚园土壤、叶片和果实样品,进行硼素营养和果实品质的测定。【结果】蜜柚园土壤有效硼含量(w,后同)范围为0·05～4·61 mg?kg~(-1),平均值为0·77 mg?kg~(-1),土壤有效硼低量(0·5 mg?kg~(-1))、适宜(0·5～1 mg?kg~(-1))和高量(1mg?kg~(-1))的比例分别为43·57%、33·54%和22·89%,0～60 cm土层土壤有效硼含量随土层深度的增加而降低,呈现明显的表聚特征。蜜柚叶片硼含量范围为9·61～252·02 mg?kg~(-1),平均值为72·47 mg?kg~(-1),叶片硼含量属于低量(15 mg?kg~(-1))、适宜(15～50 mg?kg~(-1))和高量(50 mg?kg~(-1))的比例分别为0·32%、24·84%和74·84%。叶片硼高量的比例显著高于土壤有效硼高量的比例,说明含硼叶面肥的过量施用是造成叶片硼含量高的主要原因。蜜柚果实硼含量范围为1·13～57·50mg?kg~(-1),平均值为14·07 mg?kg~(-1),果实硼含量8～16 mg?kg~(-1)和高于16 mg?kg~(-1)样品汁胞严重粒化(粒化率40%)的比例分别较硼含量低于8 mg?kg~(-1)的样品提高了31·87%和31·89%。相关分析表明,果实硼含量与果实Ca/B比值呈极显著负相关(y=304·81x-0·63,r=0·77**),果实汁胞严重粒化(粒化率40%)的比例随Ca/B比值的提高而降低。【结论】平和县蜜柚园土壤和叶片均存在硼过量的问题,硼过量可能会增加蜜柚果实汁胞粒化的风险,施用含钙肥料、提高果实Ca/B比值,可缓解果实汁胞粒化的程度。平和县蜜柚生产应限制含硼叶面肥的过量使用,增加含钙肥料的施用。     

大兴安岭地区笃斯越橘果实成熟期叶片矿质元素营养诊断

【目的】通过对大兴安岭地区笃斯越橘叶片矿质元素的研究,为笃斯越橘人工抚育、栽培中合理施肥提供理论依据。【方法】以4种生境中的笃斯越橘为试材,通过测定果实成熟期叶片中N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe、Mn、Cu和Zn的含量及产量,制定笃斯越橘叶片矿质元素含量适宜值,并应用DOP法进行营养诊断。【结果】(1)水湿地生境中笃斯越橘的产量高,林下疏林中的产量中等,而林缘坡地中的产量低。(2)叶片中N的适宜值为17.70～19.67 g·kg~(-1),P的适宜值为3.56～4.60 g·kg~(-1),K的适宜值为5.22～6.13 g·kg~(-1),Ca的适宜值为3.13～3.88 g·kg~(-1),Mg的适宜值为1.90～2.27 g·kg~(-1),Fe的适宜值为109.19～158.85 mg·kg~(-1),Mn的适宜值为262.05～311.14 mg·kg~(-1),Cu的适宜值为5.44～6.42 mg·kg~(-1),Zn的适宜值为17.33～24.87 mg·kg~(-1)。(3)高产区的笃斯越橘叶片养分平衡状况优于中低产区,且高产区笃斯越橘叶片矿质养分亏缺程度较高,而中、低产区域矿质养分则过多盈余。【结论】大兴安岭地区高产区域的笃斯越橘养分平衡状况优于中低产区域。在适当补充肥料的基础上各区均具有一定的产量提升空间。     

湖南温州蜜柑果实矿质养分与土壤养分、pH的多元分析与模拟

【目的】探讨湖南省柑橘园果实矿质元素与土壤养分的关系,为指导果园科学施肥提供参考依据。【方法】对湖南省主产区84个柑橘园土壤理化性质和果实矿质元素含量测试分析,运用SPSS、R和LINGO软件多元统计分析筛选出影响果实矿质元素的主要土壤因子,求解土壤养分线性规划方程,指出果园土壤养分缺素问题。【结果】Pearson相关分析结果表明,果实全钾、全钙和全铁含量与土壤pH呈正相关,其余的果实矿质养分与土壤pH均呈负相关;果实全氮、全磷和全钙含量与有机质含量呈负相关,其余养分与有机质含量均呈正相关。典型相关分析表明果实矿质元素与土壤养分因子间存在90.59%的相关性,果实矿质元素受到多个土壤元素的影响,果实全钙、全锰和全镁含量与土壤pH值、有效磷、有效锰、交换性镁和有效锌关系密切。应用多元线性逐步回归法和线性规划求解出果园养分优化方案:pH为5.50～6.50,有机质含量为15.00～30.00 g·kg~(-1),碱解氮大于80.00 mg·kg~(-1),有效磷大于80.00 mg·kg~(-1),速效钾为100.0～200.0 mg·kg~(-1),交换钙为1 000.00～2 000.00 mg·kg~(-1),交换镁为150.00～300.00 mg·kg~(-1),有效铁大于10.00 mg·kg~(-1),有效锰为5.00～20.00 mg·kg~(-1),有效锌为1.00～5.00 mg·kg~(-1),有效铜和有效硼为0.50～1.00 mg·kg~(-1)。在调查柑橘园中,85.94%的样点柑橘园土壤pH值处于酸性至强酸性环境,76.56%的样点柑橘园土壤有机质含量处于适宜水平,1/3果园土壤有效氮、磷、钾含量偏低,有效钙、镁和硼元素含量严重不足,部分柑橘园土壤速效铁、锰、铜和锌过量。【结论】调节土壤酸碱性,增施有机肥,提高土壤中有效钙、镁和硼含量是今后湖南省柑橘园土壤培肥管理的重点。     

红壤脐橙园土壤、叶片养分状况研究

为了解红壤脐橙园土壤、叶片养分丰缺状况,以广西农垦国有立新农场红壤脐橙园为研究对象,2017年选择8个有代表性的生产岗位(果园)分别采集土壤、叶片和果实样品进行检测分析。结果表明,红壤脐橙园土壤普遍偏酸,土壤有机质含量较丰富。土壤中碱解氮(N)、有效磷(P)、速效钾(K)、交换性钙(Ca)、交换性镁(Mg)、有效铁(Fe)、有效锰(Mn)、有效铜(Cu)、有效锌(Zn)、有效硼(B)平均含量分别为125.65 mg/kg、130.24 mg/kg、266.56 mg/kg、1145.66 mg/kg、272.97 mg/kg、6.74 mg/kg、36.37 mg/kg、7.11 mg/kg、4.12 mg/kg、0.88 mg/kg。土壤中N、P、K、Mn、B有效养分含量充足,均处在适量及以上水平,其中P、K养分2/3果园超标;Ca、Mg养分基本正常,主要处在适量范围;Cu含量超标;有效Zn不足与超标并存,1/4果园有效Zn缺乏;Fe缺乏比较普遍。叶片中N、P、K、Ca、Mg、S、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cu、B平均含量分别为29.71 g/kg、1.42 g/kg、16.93 g/kg、33.13 g/kg、2.58 g/kg、2.84 g/kg、98.32 mg/kg、91.77 mg/kg、18.76 mg/kg、19.28 mg/kg、92.10 mg/kg。叶片中N、K、Mn、B含量较丰富,均处于适量至高量范围;P、Ca、S、Fe含量正常;Cu不足与超标并存;Mg和Zn存在不足和缺乏的现象。因此,本研究的红壤脐橙园应注意控制N、P和K肥的施用量,适当补充Mg肥和Zn肥,增施石灰等碱性肥料调节土壤p H值。     

新疆皮山县石榴果园土壤养分状况初步分析

为了解新疆石榴主产区土壤养分状况,采用室内分析测定,对石榴果园不同树龄的0~20cm、20~40cm范围内石榴园土壤有机质、全氮、速效氮、速效磷、速效钾含量进行了测定分析。结果表明:石榴园不同树龄、不同土层深度的土壤有机质含量范围分别为0.576 0~0.659 5g·kg~(-1)、0.402 5~0.504 0g·kg~(-1),平均值分别为0.617 8、0.453 3g·kg~(-1);土壤全氮含量变化范围分别为0.069 5~0.072 5mg·kg~(-1)、0.058 5~0.060 5mg·kg~(-1),平均值分别为0.071 0、0.059 5mg·kg~(-1);土壤速效氮含量变化范围分别为54.079 0~63.106 0mg·kg~(~(-1))、52.091 0~57.153 5mg·kg~(-1),平均值分别为58.592 5、54.622 3mg·kg~(-1);土壤速效磷含量变化范围为32.362 5~36.704 0mg·kg~(-1)、19.683 5~22.042 5mg·kg~(-1),平均值分别为34.533 3、20.863 0mg·kg~(-1);土壤速效钾含量变化范围为309.088 0~395.853 2mg·kg~(-1)、301.294 2~365.353 0mg·kg~(-1),平均值分别为352.470 6、333.323 6mg·kg~(-1)。分析发现,石榴果园土壤中除速效钾含量偏高外,有机质、全氮、速效氮含量偏低,速效磷含量中等,石榴园土壤养分不平衡。该试验为今后石榴园土壤合理施肥提供科学依据。     

寿光耕层土壤养分及金属元素分析

对山东寿光南部4个乡镇19个自然村大棚耕层土壤养分及金属元素含量进行了调查,以期为大棚土壤科学施肥提供依据。结果表明:耕层土壤养分总体含量很丰富,土壤平均pH6.25,平均C/N为13.96,全氮平均含量为3.12g·kg~(-1),有机质含量很丰富,平均值为41.25g·kg~(-1),有效磷、速效钾含量很丰富,平均值分别为1 492.1、776.6mg·kg~(-1);土壤中金属元素有效钙、镁、铁、锌、铜、锰含量均极为丰富,平均值分别为6 007、1 053、178.29、91.77、11.35、221.8mg·kg~(-1)。因此,在实践中应当控制并减少施肥量,确保环境安全。     

‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤和树体的硫素营养研究

【目的】研究‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤和树体的硫素状况及其影响因素,探讨土壤硫富集与土壤酸化以及钙、镁淋失的关系。【方法】采集和分析314个‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤、叶片样品以及27个土壤剖面样品的硫含量。【结果】‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤有效硫含量(w,后同)范围10.98～116.65 mg·kg~(-1),平均值55.63 mg·kg~(-1),土壤有效硫高量(30 mg·kg~(-1))、适量(16～30 mg·kg~(-1))和低量(16 mg·kg~(-1))的比例分别为83.44%、13.06%和3.50%,土壤有效硫含量随土壤有机质含量、阳离子交换量和黏粒(0.002 mm)含量的增加而提高,随种植年限的延长呈升高的趋势,剖面土壤有效硫含量平均值为40～60 cm20～40 cm0～20 cm。相关分析表明,土壤有效硫含量与土壤pH以及交换性钙、镁含量均呈极显著负相关‘。琯溪蜜柚’叶片硫含量的范围为0.24%～0.53%,平均值为0.34%,叶片硫适量(0.2%～0.4%)和高量(0.4%)的占比分别为86.94%和13.06%。【结论】‘琯溪蜜柚’园土壤和树体均存在硫过量问题,土壤硫富集会导致土壤酸化、促进钙和镁的淋失,生产上应减少含硫肥料的使用。     

长山核桃‘马汉’中锌元素含量的动态变化

【目的】揭示长山核桃‘马汉’品种不同发育阶段锌元素含量的变化规律及与其他元素间的相关性。【方法】以12 a生长山核桃‘马汉’为试材,利用原子吸收分光光度法等方法测定元素,研究锌元素含量的动态变化。【结果】0~20cm土层全锌和有效锌含量的均值分别为104.81 mg·kg~(-1)、2.72 mg·kg~(-1),20~40 cm土层全锌和有效锌含量的均值分别为112.94 mg·kg~(-1)、1.42 mg·kg~(-1),土壤全锌含量随着土层深度增加而增加,有效锌含量随着土层深度增加而减少。0~20cm土层的p H和土层中全锌含量、20~40 cm土层的pH和土壤有效锌均呈显著正相关。从芽萌动期到雄花序脱落期,锌含量在各器官中的平均值高低顺序为:雄花序叶片雌花序细根;从果实硬核末期到果实成熟期,锌含量在各器官中的平均值高低顺序为:外果皮种仁叶片果壳细根。果实发育期,果壳和外果皮中的锌向种仁中运输。【结论】长山核桃不同器官锌元素的含量和累积量在不同生长发育阶段呈现一定规律的变化。不同物候期各器官锌元素与其他必需矿质元素处于拮抗和协同的动态平衡。此研究能为指导长山核桃平衡配方施肥、提高产量和改善品质提供科学依据。     

云南玉溪柑橘园土壤养分水平和叶片营养状况相关性分析

【目的】对云南省玉溪市柑橘土壤养分水平和叶片营养状况及其相关性进行分析,为柑橘的合理施肥提供科学依据。【方法】对玉溪市华宁南盘江河谷区、华宁山地区、元江干热河谷区和新平山地区4个生态区101个柑橘园土壤和叶片样品的10种营养元素进行测定分析。【结果】南盘江河谷区、华宁山地区、元江干热河谷区和新平山地区4个生态区橘园土壤碱解N含量不足(缺乏和低量)的比例分别为77.08%、63.64%、91.67%、80.00%;华宁山地区土壤速效P不足最为严重,达到100%,其余3个生态区土壤速效P主要在适宜水平;4个生态区土壤速效K适宜水平的比例分别达到93.75%、100%、83.33%、96.67%;土壤交换性钙Ca含量以适宜水平为主,但交换性Mg含量以不足水平为主;各生态区土壤速效Fe、Mn、Cu含量丰富(适宜及以上),土壤速效B不足,而元江干热河谷区和新平山地区速效Zn含量主要不足;土壤速效B主要是不足水平。华宁山地区柑橘叶片N、K不足比例较高,分别达到45.45%和36.36%,其余3个生态区的N、P、K均处于丰富水平;叶片Ca含量丰富;元江干热河谷区叶片Mg不足比例66.67%,其余3个生态区叶片Mg均在丰富水平;各生态区叶片Fe、Mn、B含量均丰富;叶片Zn均在不足水平;新平山地区30.00%橘园叶片Cu含量不足。对4个生态区分别进行相关性分析,结果显示南盘江河谷区橘园土壤有效Mn、Zn、Cu、B及新平山地区橘园土壤有效Mg、Mn、Zn与其叶片相应元素含量显著(p 0.05)或极显著(p 0.01)相关,元江干热河谷区橘园土壤有效Mg与叶片Mg含量极显著相关,华宁山地区土壤全部营养元素有效态含量与叶片对应元素含量未达显著正相关水平;整体相关性分析结果则显示,橘园土壤有效Mn、Cu、B与叶片相应元素含量显著或极显著相关。【结论】玉溪不同柑橘生态区土壤与叶片营养元素含量丰缺并存,生产上需重视补充与平衡。整个玉溪产区橘园土壤与叶片营养元素含量相关性规律不强;玉溪橘园测土不能良好反映树体的实际营养状况,需要探索改进测土方法,或结合叶片营养诊断制定施肥方案。     

Effects of time and rate of nutrient application on foliar nutrient concentration and cold hardiness in Viburnum species

Viburnum plicatum Thunb. f. tomentosum Rehd. and Viburnum dentatum L. were fertilized with N, P, and K at a high or low rate during late spring and late summer. V. plicatum f. tomentosum absorbed more K than N and P. Potassium applications to soil increased foliar K significantly, but increases were much greater following spring applications than following late summer applications. There was no luxury consumption of K by V. dentatum. N and K applications decreased cold hardiness of V. plicatum f. tomentosum in late October. Nutrient applications had no effect on cold hardiness of V. dentatum regardless of date of application.     

棕壤土苹果园土壤与叶片营养关系初探

通过苹果园土壤、叶片养分相关性分析 ,烟台棕壤土果园土壤有机质、交换性镁、有效锰、有效锌、有效硼与苹果叶片养分含量呈正相关 ,其中有效锌、有效硼与叶片养分含量分别达到显著和极显著相关 ,相关方程分别为 y =2 0 .88+8.479x和 y=4.2 9+ 6 7.71x ;土壤有效磷、速效钾、交换性钙、有效铁与苹果叶片养分含量呈负相关。土壤交换性Ca/Mg以 3.7～ 6 .2较适宜 ,过大不仅影响树体对镁的吸收 ,并且也影响到对钙的均衡吸收 ,其中对镁吸收的影响达到显著水平 ;土壤Mg/K以大于 0 91以上较适宜 ,过低影响树体对钾的吸收 ,二者达到显著水平     

Production and quality of greenhouse roses in recirculating nutrient systems

Greenhouse-grown rose plants were grown in either a non-recirculating (open) nutrient system, or a recirculating (closed) nutrient system with or without one of five amendments. Recirculation had no effect on harvest parameters during the first 8 weeks of the harvest period, but had a negative impact on stem length during the second 8 weeks, and on stem number and length when averaged over the entire harvest duration. Differences were not likely caused by changes in electrical conductivity or macro-nutrient concentrations of the nutrient solutions. Amendments to the recirculated solutions consisted of increased concentrations of Ca, B or Si, reduced pH, or use of an adsorbent resin to remove specific organic molecules. All amendments mitigated the negative effects of recirculation on at least two harvest parameters, but only during the second-half of the harvest period. With the exception of the intentional changes, mineral status of the nutrient solutions were similar in all recirculated treatments. Leaf chlorosis was observed in all recirculation treatments. It is likely that the reduction in rose quantity and quality in recirculation is caused by a combination of factors, some of which were ameliorated through the addition of specific amendments to the solution.     

平菇营养液配方的研究

本试验是通过平板试验，在培养基中添加VB1，复合肥(N、P、K)、NPP、乙烯利，通过四因素三水平的正交试验，旨在选择一种最佳组合。试验结果表明VB1(0.002%)，N.P.K(0.05%)、NAA(5×10-6)、乙烯利(500×10-6)，此种配比最适合平菇菌丝的生长。     

Upstream-to-downstream changes in nutrient export risk

Nutrient export coefficients are estimates of the mass of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) normalized by area and time (e.g., kg/ha/yr). They have been estimated most often for watersheds ranging in size from 10² to 10⁴ hectares, and have been recommended as measurements to inform management decisions. At this scale, watersheds are often nested upstream and downstream components of larger drainage basins, suggesting nutrient export coefficients will change from one subwatershed to the next. Nutrient export can be modeled as risk where lack of monitoring data prevents empirical estimation. We modeled N and P export risk for subwatersheds of larger drainage basins, and examined spatial changes in risk from upstream to downstream watersheds. Spatial (subwatershed) changes in N and P risk were a function of in-stream decay, subwatershed land-cover composition, and subwatershed streamlength. Risk tended to increase in a downstream direction under low rates of in-stream decay, whereas high rates of in-stream decay often reduced risk to zero (0) toward downstream subwatersheds. On average, increases in the modeled rate of in-stream decay reduced risk by 0.44 for N and 0.39 for P. Interactions between in-stream decay, land-cover composition and streamlength produced dramatic changes in risk across subwatersheds in some cases. Comparison of the null cases of no in-stream decay and homogeneously forested subwatersheds with extant conditions indicated that complete forest cover produced greater reductions in nutrient export risk than a high in-stream decay rate, especially for P. High rates of in-stream decay and complete forest cover produced approximately equivalent reductions in N export risk for downstream subwatersheds. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Crop production in recirculating nutrient solution

The development of a low capital cost technique for crop production in recirculating nutrient solution is described with special reference to greenhouse tomato production. Tomato trials in heated glasshouses are reported and attention is drawn to the decline in root growth which began in late April and ceased in early June. It is suggested that this “May check” may be related to time of year and not to plant age.     

Effects of oxygen-enriched nutrient solution on greenhouse cucumber and pepper production

A series of experiments were conducted with greenhouse cucumber and pepper plants to determine the effects of oxygen enrichment of the irrigation water on yield and fruit shelf-life. The experiments were carried out in soilless culture in research greenhouses. Depending on the experiment, treatments included sub-ambient (2 mg L⁻¹), ambient (5–6 mg L⁻¹), medium (16 mg L⁻¹) and high (30–40 mg L⁻¹) levels of oxygen in the supply tank. Cucumber plants were grown in yellow cedar sawdust and pepper plants in either sawdust or perlite. Oxygen enrichment resulted in a promotion of cucumber yield in only one experiment; in two other experiments, none of the oxygen treatments, including those at sub-ambient levels, had an effect. There were no effects of oxygen enrichment on pepper yield. However, in both cucumber and pepper, fruit shelf-life was extended in oxygen-enriched treatments. In terms of system efficacy, oxygen levels in the irrigation water were measured at the dripper and found to decrease by 20–67% of initial values compared to the supply tank values, depending on the initial oxygen concentration and on the experiment. Oxygen concentrations decreased even further to virtually ambient levels when measured in the drain water or in the substrate reservoir. Cucumber plant growth was promoted under conditions which facilitated consistently high oxygen in the root zone, achieved through heavy irrigation (1 min in two) with oxygen-enriched nutrient solution of plants grown in saturated substrate (pumice). However, those extreme irrigation rates would not be practical for commercial cucumber or pepper production. Overall, this study demonstrates that oxygen enrichment of porous substrates under typical hydroponic conditions is difficult and possibly because of this, effects on yield are infrequent. However, fruit shelf-life may be improved.     

设施菜地土壤基础养分含量分析

为了给设施蔬菜减量施肥提供依据,结合设施蔬菜种植户施肥调研结果,以及室内土壤样品测定结果,研究了新乡市牧野区设施蔬菜地土壤基础养分含量和施肥中存在的主要问题。结果表明,该区土壤质地良好,磷钾丰富,氮含量中等,有机质缺乏,pH值约为6.5,为非盐渍化土壤。除类金属总砷含量有部分地块超标外,土壤中其余金属元素含量均未超标。选择优质商品有机肥和微生物菌肥做为底肥的种植户只占到10%,而选择生粪的占65%以上。每茬作物化肥施用量可达250 kg·667 m-2。因此,建议该地区设施蔬菜种植施用优质商品有机肥1 200 kg·667 m-2,并逐渐降低化学肥料追肥次数和数量,不断增加生物菌肥和有机水溶肥的施用。     

Olive fruit pulp and pit growth under differing nutrient supply

The objetive of this work was to study if the addition of nutrients to the irrigation water modified ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ olive pulp and pit growth. The experiment was carried out during the 2003 fruit-growth period in an irrigated orchard near Seville, southern Spain. Fruit samples were taken in July and September, at 12 and 21 weeks after full bloom (AFB) respectively, in trees irrigated with (T1) or without (T0) the addition of nutrients (N–P–K). The nutrient availability of T1 fruits increased the fruit fresh and dry weight, longitudinal and equatorial diameters, and the pulp-to-pit ratio, characteristics particularly appreciated for table olives. The balance of growth between the fruit mesocarp (pulp) and endocarp (pit) was modified because those two tissues were affected differently. Mesocarp fresh weight was significantly higher at both 12 and 21 weeks AFB in the fertilized treatment, as was mesocarp dry weight at 12 weeks AFB. Neither the endocarp fresh and dry weight nor shape (the ratio of the equatorial and longitudinal diameters) was altered at either of the two studied dates. These results emphasize the importance of an appropriate fertilization management in irrigated olive orchards, particularly for table olives, and also confirm the olive endocarp as a strong sink tissue that competes with the mesocarp during early development.