Articles
Foliar application of calcite and kaolinite to sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium ‘Sweetheart’): leaf chemical absorption and physiological effects
Article number
1432_13
Pages
97 – 102
Language
English
Abstract
Foliar application of agrochemical sprays may improve crop yield and quality in agricultural production under stress conditions which are becoming more frequent worldwide.
Although calcite (CaCO3) and kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) are already supplied in some fruit growing areas as routine treatments, little is known about their impact on plant physiology.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of such foliar-applied treatments leading to leaf whitening using sweet cherry (Prunus avium ‘Sweatheart’). The trial was developed during the end of summer in a commercial cherry tree plantation in Jumilla (Spain). A 5% (w/v) concentration of approximately 1.5 µm size particles of calcite and kaolinite was supplied to the foliage by dipping leaves for 10 s, including 0.1% surfactant (Genapol X-80). The stomatal conductance (Gs) and leaf temperature (Tleaf) of treated leaves were monitored using a Li-600 porometer (Li-COR), taking comparable measurements of untreated sweet cherry leaves.
One month after foliar application, leaves were harvested, thoroughly washed, and prepared for chemical analysis.
Regarding to foliar absorption, we observed no significant calcium (Ca) increases after calcite supply compared to the control leaves.
However, kaolinite-treated leaves showed significantly higher silicon (Si) and aluminium (Al) levels compared to the untreated leaves.
We also recorded a short-term effect of the particle treatments on Gs and Tleaf. Three days after foliar application, Gs values of treated leaves were lower than those of control leaves, being slightly higher after supplying kaolinite compared to calcite.
Moreover, both leaf surface treatments had a short-term effect and mostly decreased Tleaf values during few days after foliar application.
Our results show that supplying mineral particles to plants can induce leaf physiological changes.
Nevertheless, further research is required for evaluating and improving the efficacy of plant stress alleviation strategies based on foliar application.
Although calcite (CaCO3) and kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) are already supplied in some fruit growing areas as routine treatments, little is known about their impact on plant physiology.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of such foliar-applied treatments leading to leaf whitening using sweet cherry (Prunus avium ‘Sweatheart’). The trial was developed during the end of summer in a commercial cherry tree plantation in Jumilla (Spain). A 5% (w/v) concentration of approximately 1.5 µm size particles of calcite and kaolinite was supplied to the foliage by dipping leaves for 10 s, including 0.1% surfactant (Genapol X-80). The stomatal conductance (Gs) and leaf temperature (Tleaf) of treated leaves were monitored using a Li-600 porometer (Li-COR), taking comparable measurements of untreated sweet cherry leaves.
One month after foliar application, leaves were harvested, thoroughly washed, and prepared for chemical analysis.
Regarding to foliar absorption, we observed no significant calcium (Ca) increases after calcite supply compared to the control leaves.
However, kaolinite-treated leaves showed significantly higher silicon (Si) and aluminium (Al) levels compared to the untreated leaves.
We also recorded a short-term effect of the particle treatments on Gs and Tleaf. Three days after foliar application, Gs values of treated leaves were lower than those of control leaves, being slightly higher after supplying kaolinite compared to calcite.
Moreover, both leaf surface treatments had a short-term effect and mostly decreased Tleaf values during few days after foliar application.
Our results show that supplying mineral particles to plants can induce leaf physiological changes.
Nevertheless, further research is required for evaluating and improving the efficacy of plant stress alleviation strategies based on foliar application.
Authors
T. González-Illanes, H.A. Bahamonde, A. Carrión, O. Martínez Lama, C.M. Pina, V. Fernández
Keywords
stomata, mineral particles, plant stress, foliar treatments, surface deposition
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