The effect of foliar fertilization with sulphur on changes in mineral composition of leaves and fruits of Malus × domestica ‘Gloster’

The two-year field trial was focused on the effect of foliar fertilization with different forms of sulphur on the concentration of mineral elements in leaves (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B) and fruits (S, K, Mg, Ca and B) of Malus × domestica ‘Gloster’. The treatments were as follows: 1) unfertilized control, 2) foliar application of elemental sulphur with boron (Sulfika SB-C), 3) foliar application of magnesium sulphate (EPSO Top), 4) foliar fertilization with thiosulphates with potassium (SK sol), and 5) foliar application of fungicide with elemental sulphur (Kumulus). The same dose of Sulphur, i.e., 3.2 kg S ha^-1 per vegetation, was applied in each treatment (except the control). Results obtained within two years (2014-2015) show the highest concentration of sulphur in leaves in treatment 4 (0.190% in dry matter) in comparison with treatments 2 (0.164% in dry matter) and 3 (0.175% in dry matter). A similar trend was observed in fruits, however the differences between the treatments were not significant.
The concentration of sulphur in leaves was followed by the concentration of total nitrogen in 2014. It was significantly higher in treatment 4 (2.585% in dry matter) than in treatments 2 (2.390% in dry matter) and 3 (2.373% in dry matter). Sulfika SB-C significantly increased the concentration of boron in leaves and fruits and seems to be a good source of this element.

VIII International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops

H. Belikova, T. Losak, M. Mezsaros, P. Conka

apple orchards, sulphur, foliar application, fertilizer, plant analysis

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1217.54