Soil Nutrient Status and Leaf Nutrient Norms in Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Plantations Grown in the West Coastal Area of India

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a heavy feeder of nutrients and requires balanced and adequate supply of nutrients for optimum growth and yield. Information regarding soil nutrient status and leaf nutrient concentration is very much required for proper fertilizer application. Therefore, a survey was conducted for assessment of soil nutrient status and leaf nutrient concentration in 64 oil palm plantations in the state of Goa lying in the west coastal region of India. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available potassium (K) (ammonium acetate-extractable K) (NH₄OAc-K), available phosphorus (P) (Bray’s-P), exchangeable calcium (Ca) (Exch. Ca) and magnesium (Mg) (Exch. Mg), available sulphur (S) (calcium chloride-extractable S) (CaCl₂-S), and hot water soluble boron (B) (HWB) in surface (0–20 cm depth) soil layers ranged from 4.25 to 6.77, 0.05 to 1.06 dS m^–1, 5.07 to 48.4 g kg^–1, 58.1 to 1167 mg kg^–1, 1.80 to 415 mg kg^–1, 200 to 2997 mg kg^–1, 36.0 to 744 mg kg^–1, 3.00 to 87.7 mg kg^–1 and 0.09 to 2.10 mg kg^–1, respectively. Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms were established for different nutrient expressions and were used to compute DRIS indices. As per DRIS indices, the order of requirement of nutrients in the region was found to be P > Mg > K > nitrogen (N) > B. Optimum leaf nutrient ranges as per DRIS norms varied from 1.64 to 2.79%, 0.36 to 0.52%, 0.37 to 0.75%, 0.89 to 1.97%, 0.35 to 0.63%, 0.89 to 1.50%, 3.10 to 13.9 mg kg^?1, 7.50 to 32.2 mg kg^?1, 35.0 to 91.1 mg kg^?1, 206 to 948 mg kg^?1, and 895 to 2075 mg kg^?1 for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) respectively. On the basis of DRIS-derived sufficiency ranges, 14, 5, 11, 6, 6, 6, 8, 2, 3, 6, and 16% of leaf samples had less than optimum concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe respectively. The optimum ranges developed can be used as a guide for routine diagnostic and advisory purpose for balanced utilization of fertilizers.     

Monitoring Nutrient Status of Guava Fruit Trees in Punjab,Northwest India through the Diagnostic and Recommendation Integrated System Approach

Abstract

The Diagnostic and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) was employed for interpreting nutrient analyses of leaf tissue of guava fruit trees (Psidium guajava L.) cultivated in Punjab, northwest India. Standard reference DRIS norms were established for various nutrient ratios and used to compute DRIS indices, which assessed nutrient balance and order of limitation to yield. The DRIS evaluation and sufficiency range approach were equally effective and in agreement for diagnosing deficiencies of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). The results also show that the position of leaf tissue sampled does not have a major effect on the DRIS diagnosis. Nutrient sufficiency ranges derived from DRIS norms were 1.41–1.65, 0.10–0.17, 0.51–0.97, 1.16–2.12, 0.31–0.51, 0.18–0.28% for N, P, K, Ca, magnesium (Mg), and S and were 105–153, 58–110, 15–29, and 6–16 mg Kg^?1 for iron (Fe), Mn, Zn, and Cu, respectively. According to these sufficiency ranges 35, 62, 51, 75, 70, and 68% of samples were sufficient, and 4, 29, 36, 9, 10, and 22% of samples were low in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively. More than 50 and 2% of the guava trees selected for sampling was found to deficient in N and P, respectively. For micronutrients, 15, 6, and 7% of samples were found to be low in Mn, Zn, and Cu.     

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.     

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.     

Monitoring Nutrient Status for Maize in Northwestern India through Diagnostic and Recommendation Integrated System Approach

Diagnostic and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) norms were established for various nutrient ratios obtained from the high-yield population of maize cultivated in submountainous areas of Punjab and were used to compute DRIS indices. Nutrient sufficiency ranges derived from DRIS norms were 1.67–3.12, 0.23–0.43, 0.89–2.56, 0.21–0.50, 0.1–0.32, and 0.10–0.20% for nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S) and were 181–278, 27–75, 14–29, and 4–8 mg kg^?1 for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), respectively. According to these DRIS-derived sufficiency ranges, 95, 94, 95, 87, 90, and 86% of samples were sufficient whereas 4, 3, 4, 2, 2, and 2% of samples were low in N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively. In micronutrients, 80, 90, 85, and 68% of samples were sufficient, whereas 36 17, 10, 14, and 31% samples had excessive Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, respectively. Thus, the DRIS approach can be employed to obtain the fertility status of the soil, and the amount of each nutrient can be computed for balanced utilization of fertilizers.     

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.     

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Guava Seedlings using Preliminary DRIS Norms and Sufficiency Ranges

The objective of this work was to propose preliminary Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) norms and derive critical levels and nutrient sufficiency ranges in the leaves of guava plants in commercial nursery conditions. Sixty-eight leaf samples were evaluated from fertilization trials with seedlings. In the low-yield subpopulation (84% of the population), the limiting nutrients by deficiency in descending order were nitrogen (N)> copper (Cu)>phosphorus (P) = potassium (K)> manganese (Mn)> iron (Fe) = zinc (Zn)> sulfur (S)> boron (B) = magnesium (Mg)> calcium (Ca), and the limiting ones by excess in descending order were B > Ca > Fe > Mn > S > Mg > Cu > P > Zn > N = K. The ranges of the appropriate DRIS indices were 24 to 28, 2.4 to 3.1, 21 to 29, 6 to 8, 1.9 to 2.9 and 1.9 to 2.3 (g kg^?1) for the macronutrients N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, respectively, and 35 to 48, 4 to 15, 68 to 93, 31 to 60 and 180 to 245 (mg kg^?1) for the micronutrients B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, respectively. The dry matter production of guava seedlings was associated with the nutritional status.     

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.     

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.     

Diagnosis and recommendation integrated system approach for major and micronutrient diagnostic norms for apple (Malus Domestica Borkh) under varying ages and management practices of apple orchards

Various approaches for the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indices were employed like Beaufil's ER, Elwali and Gascho and Jones. As per the Beaufil's approach of DRIS indices, the nutrient requirements in the initial stage of the apple tree were magnesium > nitrogen > sulfur > phosphorus > copper > zinc > iron > manganese > boron > calcium > potassium (Mg > N > S > P > Cu > Zn > Fe > Mn > B > Ca > K) and in the later stage at 40–50 years, the nutrient requirements were S > Cu > Mg > Fe > P > N > Ca > Mn > K > Zn > B, thus demanding a foliar application of magnesium salt and urea which are required in high amounts in the initial stage; however in the later stage, the yield depression was not attributed to the nutrient deficiency but rather trees' genetic make-up which destabilizes the higher yield in the period of 50 years. Nutrient sufficiency ranges for apple derived from DRIS norms were 1.91–2.24, 0.18–0.26, 1.11–1.61, 1.74–1.88, 0.30–0.33 and 0.28–0.30% for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), respectively.     

SUGARCANE NUTRITIONAL DIAGNOSIS WITH DRIS NORMS ESTABLISHED IN BRAZIL,SOUTH AFRICA,AND THE UNITED STATES

ABSTRACT

The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) approach evaluates plant nutritional status. The Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System is based on a comparison of crop nutrient ratios with optimum values from a high-yielding group (DRIS norms). Several researchers affirm that once DRIS norms based on foliar composition have been developed for a given crop, they are universal and applicable to that particular crop grown at any place and at any stage of its development. But different diagnoses with DRIS norms established for the same crop but under different growth conditions have been found. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the confidence intervals of three DRIS norms of sugarcane crop, (ii) to compare sugarcane nutritional diagnosis with three DRIS norms, and (iii) to evaluate the universal use of DRIS norms in sugarcane crop. Sugarcane DRIS norms were tested. Means for nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P), N/calcium (Ca), N/copper (Cu), manganese (Mn)/N, N/zinc (Zn), Ca/P, Cu/P, Mn/P, Zn/P, potassium (K)/Ca, K/Cu, Mn/K, Zn/K, Mn/Ca, Zn/Ca, Cu/magnesium (Mg), Mn/Mg, Zn/Mg, Mn/Cu, Zn/Cu, and Zn/Mn of these three DRIS norms were significantly different (?p<0.05). The sugarcane nutritional diagnosis derived from norms published in the literature was different. These three DRIS norms were not universally applicable to the sugarcane crop. Therefore, in the absence of DRIS norms locally calibrated, norms developed under one set of conditions only should be applied to another if the nutrient concentrations of high-yielding plants from these different set of conditions are similar.     

Nutrient Indexing in “‘Kinnow” Mandarin (Citrus deliciosia Lour.× Citrus nobilis Tanaka) Grown in Indogangetic Plains

Diagnosis and remediation of nutrient constraints in perennial fruit crop like citrus are the two important pillars of an effective nutrient management program. Efforts were made to develop nutrient indexing (NI) criteria based on generated leaf and soil analysis dataset for “Kinnow” mandarin (Citrus deliciosia Lour. × Citrus nobilis Tanaka) grown on illitic soils of Indogangetic plains (Entisol, Inceptisol, and Aridisol). NI through diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) using leaf analysis data showed optimum value of leaf nutrient concentration as 2.22–2.32% nitrogen (N), 0.11–0.15% phosphorus (P), 1.10–1.41% potassium (K), 2.32–2.79% calcium (Ca), 0.38–0.61% magnesium (Mg), 22.4–58.3 ppm iron (Fe), 26.3–56.2 ppm manganese (Mn), 4.2–7.2 ppm copper (Cu), and 21.3–26.9 ppm zinc (Zn) vis-à-vis a fruit yield of 32.4–56.1 kg tree^?1. Using these NI criteria, Zn was observed as most deficient (64.7%) followed by Fe (61.5%), Mn (57.6%), N (96.1%), and P (38.5%) using percentage of orchards as basis. While, optimum NI (mg kg^?1) using soil analysis data was determined as 114.3–121.2 potassium permanganate (KMnO₄-N), 7.8–12.3 Olsen-P, 96.4–131.3 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc)-K, 189.4–248.6 NH₄OAc-Ca, 72.3–89.9 NH₄OAc-Mg, 5.8–11.1, DTPA-Fe, 4.3–6.9 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Mn, 0.45–0.69 DTPA-Cu, and 21.3–26.9 DTPA-Zn for the optimum yield of 32.4–56.1 kg tree^?1. Soil analysis-based NIs displayed a good complementary with leaf analysis-based NIs evident from the diagnoses indicating Mn (52.2%) as most dominant constraint Zn (61.2%) followed by Mn (48.3%), N (41.2%), and P (35.6%). The recommended DRIS-based NIs would lay a scientific basis in formulating citrus fertilization program.     

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.     

Combined Effect of Arsenic and Phosphorus on Mineral Element Concentrations of Sunflower

This study was undertaken to examine the combined effect of soil‐applied phosphorus (P) and arsenic (As) on P, As, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), lantanium (La), and cerium (Ce) concentrations of sunflower plants under glasshouse conditions determined by polarized‐energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (PEDXRF). Three levels of As (0, 30, and 60 mg kg^?1) and four levels of P (50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg^?1) were applied to soil‐grown plants. Increasing levels of both As and P significantly increased As concentrations in the plants. Plant growth was significantly reduced with increased As supply regardless of applied P levels. Arsenic toxicity caused significant increases in the concentrations of Mn, La and Ce, but it decreased K, Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Zn, Cu, Rb, and Sr concentrations. Applied P increased the concentrations of Ti, Sr, and Ba and decreased Zn and Cu. In conclusion, the use of P fertilizers in As‐contaminated soils should be carefully considered in respect to increased As, Ti, Sr, and Ba availability and reduced Zn and Cu availability.     

Extractable Micronutrients Status of Soils in a Plinthitic Landscape at Zaria,Nigeria

Desilication and leaching are processes that accompany plinthilization, leading to nutrient depletion. Soils from 12 profiles in a plinthitic landscape were analyzed for extractable micronutrients [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu)]. Soils of the landscape from crestal to lower‐slope position contain plinthite in the profile, whereas those of the valley floor are devoid of plinthite. The micronutrients were extracted using diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl). The results showed that 0.1 M HCl extracted more of the micronutrients than DTPA. The DTPA‐extractable Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu in all the soils ranged from 1.15 to 12.44 (mean, 3.69); 0.71 to 2.75 (mean, 1.86); trace 12.44 (mean, 3.35), and trace 3.76 (mean, 0.63) mg kg^?1, respectively. The DTPA‐extractable micronutrient contents were generally greater than the critical available level (4.5 mg kg^?1 for Fe, 0.8 mg kg^?1 for Zn, 1.0 mg kg^?1 for Mn, and 0.2 mg kg^?1 for Cu). The 0.1 M HCl‐extractable micronutrients in the landscape ranged from 8.00 to 30.40 (mean, 15.19); 0.30 to 6.49 (mean, 1.35); 1.00 to 27.20 (mean, 7.74); and 0.26 to 15.0 (mean, 2.77) mg kg^?1 for Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu, respectively. Both DTPA‐ and 0.1 M HCl‐extractable micronutrients were generally lower in the plinthitic horizons than in the nonplinthitic horizons and higher in the Ap than the subsoil horizons. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between DTPA‐Fe and DTPA‐Mn, Cu, and organic carbon (r = 0.913**, 0.411**, and 0.385**). There was a significant and positive relationship between 0.1 M HCl‐extractable Mn and organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), and available phosphorus (P) (r = 0.413**, 0.337**, and 0.350**, respectively).     

Effect of High Humic Substance Levels on Growth and Nutrient Concentration of Corn under Calcareous Conditions

This study investigated the effect of high humic substance (HS) levels (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg HS kg^?1) on growth and nutrient concentrations of corn grown on calcareous soils. For these, soil samples were collected from the six different provinces of Turkey. According to the average values, HS levels had no significant effect alone on dry weight, nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) concentrations. Soil differences significantly affected dry weight, N, Mg, and Cu concentrations (p ≤ 0.05). Looking at HSxsoil interactions on K, Ca, Fe, and Mn concentrations, it could be seen that there was no effect or that the effect was negative. Only plant Fe concentrations obtained from Konya and Urfa provinces were positively affected from HSxsoil interaction. It was concluded that high level of HS had no or negative effect on corn growth and some nutrient concentration under calcareous conditions.     

Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis of a Sample of Plantain from Sur del Lago de Maracaibo (Venezuela)

The aim of the present study was the estimation of reference concentration values for plantain (Musa AAB subgroup plantain cv. Hartón) using the Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis system. Eighty-eight plants were sampled in 2000–2001 in commercial orchards in Sur del Lago de Maracaibo (Venezuela), their yields recorded, and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and sodium (Na) concentrations determined in the foliar material. A yield cutoff of 16.98 kg·bunch^?1, obtained after modeling the cumulative variance ratio function versus yield relationships with sigmoidal (Boltzmann) equations, was selected as the value above which plants were regarded as high yielders. Estimations from the high-yield group (N = 31) resulted in the following reference concentrations for macronutrients (in g·kg^?1): 27.4 (N), 2.0 (P), 41.2 (K), 6.5 (Ca), 2.8 (Mg), 1.9 (S), and 0.5 (Na). For micronutrients the reference concentrations were (in mg·kg^?1): 15.6 (Zn), 8.3 (Cu), 64.0 (Fe), and 76.3 (Mn).     

Nutrient constraint of rainfed rice production in foot slope soil of Guinea Forest in Côte d’Ivoire

Soil nutrient deficiencies can affect rice yield and grain mineral content wherever they occur, but an understanding of their effect on upland rice production in humid forest zone of West Africa is still limited. Therefore, a nutrient omission trial was conducted on foot slope soil in 2003, 2004 and 2005 in Côte d’Ivoire using rice variety WAB 56–104. The effect on rice grain yield (GY) and nutrient content of complete fertilizer (Fc with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn)) was compared with Fc from which a specific nutrient was excluded (Fc – N, Fc – P, Fc – K, Fc – Ca, Fc – Mg and Fc – Zn). Before the trial, soil K (0.10 cmol kg^?1) and Mg (0.20 cmol kg^?1) contents were suitable, but available P-Bray I (4.2 mg kg^?1) was found to be deficient. In course of the study, K, Mg and P deficiencies were observed. An antagonistic effect was observed between rice GY and grain concentrations in P, Mg and Ca for treatments Fc – Mg, Fc – P and Fc – K, respectively. Therefore, the use of P, K and Mg fertilizers is recommended for successive cropping seasons in order to rich stable and high rice yield while decreasing of grain concentrations in P, Mg and Ca can be observed.     

Potential Use of Bioorganic Nutrient Source Dynamics on Cropping Behavior,Soil Properties,and Quality Attributes of Apricot

The comparative efficacy of bioorganic nutrients on cropping behavior and soil properties of apricot trees was studied. Bioorganic nutrient sources, namely, vermicompost (VC), biofertilizers (BF), cow urine (CU), and vermiwash (VW), were evaluated in 13 treatment combinations. The treatment application of VC at 50 kg, BF at 60 g, CU at 12.5%, and VW at 12.5% significantly improved cropping and soil properties over nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (N–P–K) chemical fertilizers. Available macronutrient contents of soil (viz., N, P, and K) increased by 25.50, 70.90, and 6.44%, respectively. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid–extractable micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) increased by 15.45, 35.90, 80.36, and 40.12%, respectively. Microbial biomass of Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Azotobacter chroococcum, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi improved 51.83, 122.78, 60.93, and 2.91 times, respectively. This superior combination also resulted in considerably greater amounts of leaf macro- and micronutrients: N (2.34%), P (0.34%), K (3.71%), iron (Fe; 172.83 mg kg^?1), copper (Cu; 12.79 mg kg^?1), zinc (Zn; 25.49 mg kg^?1), and manganese (Mn; 54.32 mg kg^?1), which might be responsible for better cropping behavior and productivity in apricot trees.     

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.