A nutritional disorder in pistachio from near Athens,Greece

Abstract

A problem pistachio orchard near Athens, Greece had many trees with severely scorched leaves. Half or more of each leaflet v/as brown and dry but tips and edges were most affected. Affected leaves were also of lighter green color than normal leaves and slightly resembled Fe deficiency. Leaf analysis indicated low K, low Fe, and high Mg. Irrigation water contained moderate levels of Mg and Na chlorides and chloride toxicity was possibly another factor. Improvement was observed when Fe chelate was applied to the orchard but Mg‐induced K deficiency was possibly a major factor. Response to K applied to soil was not observed after four months, however.