This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of the main macroelements in leaves and fruit grown following organic and conventional practices, and to relate them to physico-chemical parameters during commercial fruit harvests. Three samplings were carried out during fruit maturation. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were determined in leaves and in two fruit flesh areas: basal and apical. Weight, color, firmness, soluble tannins (ST), and total soluble solids (TSS) were also evaluated in fruit. During the study period, the lowering leaf N concentration was accompanied by its increment in flesh. Leaf P and K lowered but did not imply changes in these concentrations in fruit. N, P, and K concentrations were higher in the apical area than in the basal flesh. No changes in Ca concentration occurred in leaf, but Ca translocation from the basal to the apical area was detected in fruit. Management affected the concentrations of leaf K and Mg and the fruit N, P and Ca. The agronomic efficiency of the macronutrients in the organic crops was superior to that in the conventional crops. The Ca and Mg and the N/Ca and Ca/(K+Mg) ratios were closely related to color, firmness, TSS, and ST content.

Establishment of an acceptable turfgrass quality on sand-based golf putting greens presents major agronomic and environmental challenges to turfgrass managers. The objective of this study was to evaluate of five N:P:K fertilizer ratios to aid in the establishment of bermudagrass on sand-peat (85:15 v/v). `Floradwarf' and `Tifdwarf' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burt-Davy] were sprigged in Aug. 1996 at the Envirogreen in Gainesville, Fla. `Tifeagle' and `Tifway' bermudagrass were sprigged in May 1999 at Clemson Univ. research green in Clemson, S.C. Treatments consisted of N:P2O5:K2O ratios of 1:0:1, 1:0:2, 1:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:3:1 applied based on an N rate of 49 kg/ha per week. Treatments were applied weekly for 7 weeks. In Gainesville, the best growth rate was achieved from the 1:1:1 ratio of N:P2O5:K2O. While the 1:2:1 and 1:3:1 plots filled in well, they did not experience the same coverage rates as plots fertilized with the 1:1:1 ratio. In Clemson, similar growth was achieved with the 1:1:1, 1:2:1, and 1:3:1 treatments. The 1:0:1 and 1:0:2 plots were slow to establish at both locations. In general there were no differences in root and shoot dry weights of grasses grown in Clemson; whereas these weights were positively correlated to growth rates in Gainesville. These studies indicate that turf will respond to P fertilizer when it is grown in a P-deficit situation and that N or K cannot substitute for balanced nutrition.