Diagnostic leaf analysis for stone fruit. 7. Effects of fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium on leaf composition of peach

Abstract

The effects of fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on the leaf composition of Halehaven peach trees were measured for two seasons in a factorial experiment conducted in a block of mature, bearing trees on a sandy loam soil. Fertilizer nitrogen increased the leaf concentrations of nitrogen, iron, copper, manganese and zinc, and decreased the concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium and boron. Phosphorus concentration was not changed. Effects of fertilizer phosphorus and potassium on leaf composition were very slight and would not have been of practical importance in diagnosis by leaf analysis.