ISHS Acta Horticulturae 367: VI International Symposium on Pear Growing
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YIELD AND LEAF MINERAL CONTENT IN PEAR ORCHARDS |
| Authors: | E. E. Sanchez, G. M. Silva |
| Abstract:
This study was conducted to evaluate the consequences of expressing leaf mineral status as either mineral concentrations or on a nutrient per leaf area basis. Thirty-seven commercial blocks of Williams (Bartlett), Packham's Triumph, and Beurre d'Anjou pears were surveyed in the Rio Negro Valley, Argentina. Yield ranged from 12.7 to 92.6 tons per hectare for the first year of the survey. There was a significant negative correlation (r = -0.60) between yield and specific leaf weight (SLW). When nutrients were expressed on a per leaf area basis, significant negative correlations were found for most nutrients. High yielding plots corresponded with low SLW and less amount of nutrient per leaf area. Although nutrient per leaf area expressions have been proposed for diagnostic assessments, it will be difficult to distinguish between low values associated with nutritional deficiencies and low values caused by high yields. With the exception of boron (r = 0.38), there were no significant correlations between yield and nutrient mineral concentration. Regardless of how nutrient status is expressed, diagnostic procedures should also consider yield, vigor and total tree biomass. Data from the second year is also presented. | |
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