Impact of fertilizers on pear leaf nutrient status at 60 days after full bloom

Abstract

During two consecutive years we tested the impact of different fertilizers on the leaf nutritional status of 'Williams' pears at 60 days after full bloom. Fertilizers, years and their interaction significantly influenced leaf macro- and microelements level. Cattle manure (CM) increased leaf P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn, but decreased leaf N, Zn and B levels. A good capacity to improve leaf N, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn and B was showed by Multi-Comp Base (MCB) fertilizer. Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) decreased leaf Mg and microelements. Deviation from optimum percentage (DOP) and IDOP indexes indicate that CAN, MCB, Humus Vita Stallatico (HVS) induced a quite balance among macroelements, whereas HVS promoted the best balance among microelements. Wider imbalances within macro- and microelements were caused by CM and compound NPK. The results of this study suggest the advantages of early foliar analysis of 'Williams' pears to eliminate disturbances concerning leaf element amounts.