Estimation of nutrient status in pear using leaf mineral composition and deviation from optimum percentage index

Abstract

During 2012 and 2013 we investigated impact of quinces MA and BA.29. rootstocks on leaf macro-and micronutrients amount at 60 days after full bloom (DAFB) and deviation from optimum percentage (DOP and EDOP indexes) of three pear cultivars grown at Cacak region on heavy and acidic soil. Results showed that rootstocks significantly influenced leaf P, Ca and B levels, whereas impact on other leaf nutrients is minor. Quince MA increased leaf P and Ca contents, while BA.29 induced higher leaf B level. Stronger effect than rootstock on leaf nutrients had cultivar, although differences among them for leaf N, Mg and Fe were not significant. Leaf of 'Abbe Fetel' on BA.29 had the highest K, Ca, Cu and B amounts, whereas on MA this cultivar had the highest Mn concentration. Also, 'Abbe Fetel' alongside with 'Conference' on MA had the highest and similar leaf Ca, Cu and Zn amounts. `Starking Delicious' on BA.29 had the highest leaf P content. The DOP index showed high deficiency of K and Mn on both rootstock and Ca on BA.29. Other leaf nutrients tended to have a DOP values close to the optimum level in general. According to EDOP index, BA.29 induced better balanced leaf nutritional values as compared to MA for all nutrients. Among cultivars, 'Abbe Fetel' on both rootstocks and 'Conference' on BA.29 showed the best balanced nutritional values, whereas `Starking Delicious' exhibited a wider imbalance in nutritional values for all nutrients.