Assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake capacity and root growth in mature alternate-bearing pistachio (Pistacia vera) trees

Abstract

We examined interrelationships between crop load, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) uptake, and root growth in mature, alternate-bearing pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) trees. Pistachio trees bear heavy (on-year) and light (off-year) fruit crops in alternate years. Uptake and partitioning of N, P, and K among tree parts were determined during (a) spring flush (mid-March to late May), (b) nut fill (late May to early September), and (c) postharvest-leaf senescence (late September to early December). Nutrient uptake occurred primarily during nut fill in both on-year and off-year trees. In on-year trees, N and K uptake increased by 35 and 112%, respectively, during nut fill compared with off-year trees. During this period, nutrients were allocated largely to embryo development in on-year trees and to storage in perennial tissues in off-year trees. Nutrient uptake was negligible between harvest and leaf senescence. Although root growth was reduced during nut fill in on-year trees compared with off-year trees, there was no relationship between root growth and the uptake of N, P or K from the soil. Our data support the hypothesis that sink demand regulates the uptake and distribution of N, P, and K in pistachio trees.

Extensive summer water pulses do not necessarily lead to canopy growth of Great Basin and northern Mojave Desert shrubs

“…Nitrogen uptake by woody plants is reduced as vegetative growth or reproductive sink activity declines, and if uptake does occur N is preferentially allocated to roots and stored (Weinbaum et al 1978;Sanchez et al 1992;Rosecrance et al 1996;Quartieri et al 2002). In fact, pulse experiments with labeled N (with and without water) at the Owens and Mono Lake sites indicate that the N uptake capacity of all of our study species declines by over 80% from spring when growth rates are high to summer when growth slows (J.J. James and J.H.…”

Different forms of soil potassium as affected by the age of pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) trees in Rafsanjan, Iran

“…Potassium accumulation in annual organs during the nut fill period is five times greater in ON-than in OFF-years (Picchioni et al, 1997). Potassium uptake during the nut fill period is six-fold greater in ON-than in OFF-year trees and over 90% of the total annual K uptake occurs during the same period, with the majority of K accumulating in the fruit (Rosecrance et al, 1996). It has been reported that 70 mg kg − 1 NH 4 OAc-extractable K is probably sufficient for optimum seedling growth of pistachio (Tajabadi Pour et al, 2005).…”

“…Pistachio trees have a high K demand and the annual K removal by fruits and leaves approximates nitrogen removal (Rosecrance et al, 1996). Potassium accumulation in annual organs during the nut fill period is five times greater in ON-than in OFF-years (Picchioni et al, 1997).…”

Responses of Young 'Fuyu' Persimmon Trees to Summer Fertilization Rate and Leaf-fruit Ratio

“…과실 의 무기영양분 중에서 질소 (N)와 칼륨 (K)의 비율이 특히 높 은데, 착과량이 많을수록 나무에서 흡수된 N과 K는 주로 과실 로 분배된다 (Choi et al, 2011;Hansen, 1980;Lenz, 2000;Rosecrance et al, 1996). 감나무에서 여름 N 공급량이 적을 때 착색과 당도는 증가하지만 과실 비대가 감소하고 꽃눈분 화가 나빠져 이듬해 착뢰수가 적어진다 (Choi et al, 2013a).…”