Articles
What fertilizer management strategy is the most effective to optimize the leaf and fruit nutrient content of soilless-grown highbush blueberries?
Article number
1444_31
Pages
233 – 240
Language
English
Abstract
A study was done to determine the influence of different fertilizer treatments on the leaf and fruit nutrient content of soilless grown highbush blueberry ‘Bluecrop’. A field study was conducted in 2020-2021 in an orchard near Belgrade (Serbia), planted in 50 L polypropylene pots at a density of 4,170 plants ha‑1. The following fertilizer treatments were evaluated: i) organic fertilizers, Org (64 kg ha‑1 N, 42 kg ha‑1 P, 52 kg ha‑1 K); ii) mineral fertilizers, Min (85 kg ha‑1 N, 45 kg ha‑1 P, 64 kg ha‑1 K), and iii) combined application of organic and mineral fertilizers, Org-Min (72 kg ha‑1 N, 48 kg ha‑1 P, 68 kg ha‑1 K). The leaf and fruit samples for nutrient analysis were collected at the second harvest (in late June of both years). The index of deviation from optimal percentage (DOP) was calculated by comparing the values of foliar nutrient content with the lower and upper limits of optimal concentrations.
The lowest leaf N, P, and K content was found in the Org treatment (2.19, 0.13, and 0.44%, respectively), while no significant differences were found in leaf N and K content between the Min and Org-Min treatments.
The leaf concentration of Ca, Fe, and Mn was increased in the Min treatment (0.62%, 135.03 and 158.56 mg kg‑1 DW, respectively), whereas the leaf B content was the highest in Org-Min treatment (35.43 mg kg‑1 DW). Concerning the upper limit of optimal nutrient concentrations, the DOP index showed a deficiency of P, Ca, B, Fe, Mn, and Zn in leaf in all fertilizer treatments and deficiency of K in Org and Org-Min.
The fertilization treatments did not affect the content of P, Mg, and Mn in the fruit, while content of K, Ca, B, Cu, Fe, and Zn were increased in Org treatment.
These results indicated that a partial substitution of mineral by organic fertilizers may be considered as the most effective fertilizer management strategy in soilless-grown blueberries.
The lowest leaf N, P, and K content was found in the Org treatment (2.19, 0.13, and 0.44%, respectively), while no significant differences were found in leaf N and K content between the Min and Org-Min treatments.
The leaf concentration of Ca, Fe, and Mn was increased in the Min treatment (0.62%, 135.03 and 158.56 mg kg‑1 DW, respectively), whereas the leaf B content was the highest in Org-Min treatment (35.43 mg kg‑1 DW). Concerning the upper limit of optimal nutrient concentrations, the DOP index showed a deficiency of P, Ca, B, Fe, Mn, and Zn in leaf in all fertilizer treatments and deficiency of K in Org and Org-Min.
The fertilization treatments did not affect the content of P, Mg, and Mn in the fruit, while content of K, Ca, B, Cu, Fe, and Zn were increased in Org treatment.
These results indicated that a partial substitution of mineral by organic fertilizers may be considered as the most effective fertilizer management strategy in soilless-grown blueberries.
Authors
J. Milivojević, D. Radivojević, V. Maksimović, J. Dragiić Maksimović
Keywords
blueberry, fertilizers, soilless system, macro and microelements, DOP index
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
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