Estimation of Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) and Range of Normality (RN) Norms for Mineral Diagnosis of Almonds Trees in Spain

Abstract

To ensure good fertilization, it is necessary to know the optimum nutrient levels for each crop. The most common method for obtaining this information for almond trees is to perform a foliar analysis coupled with the use of interpretive tools such as the traditional range of normality. However, currently, there are other, more sophisticated methods such as the DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) and the CND (Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis) which take into account the relationship between nutrients. However, little information is available with respect to these methods in the case of almond trees. In the present work, 288 samples of three contrasting varieties of almond were analyzed—Ferraduel, Ferragnes, and Garrigues (Prunus dulcis, Mill.)—corresponding to bi-weekly sampling between the months of May and September. Leaf analysis data, run with different mathematical and statistical models, lead to knowledge of the optimum period for harvesting samples and the determination of the ranges of normality and norms of DRIS and CND for the Ferraduel, Ferragnes, and Garrigues varieties. Data gained from the leaf nutrient content reported that the best season to harvest and interpret leaf samples was July. In addition, Ferraduel and Ferragnes had higher N, P, and K (2.22, 0.14, and 1.04 mg Kg−1 dw, respectively) than Garrigues (2.00, 0.09. 0.67 mg Kg−1 dw). The norms obtained with the leaf mineral data showed similar values between the Ferraduel and Ferragnes varieties but different values for Garrigues variety. Therefore, Garriges had the highest N/P, N/K, P/K, and P × Mg norms in the DRIS method and the highest VN and VCa norms in the CND method.

DRIS Norms and Sufficiency Ranges for Persimmon ‘Rojo Brillante’ Grown under Mediterranean Conditions in Spain

“…Thus, DRIS is a comprehensive system that identifies all the nutritional factors that limit crop production and, hence, increases the chances of obtaining high crop yields by improving fertiliser recommendations [14]. This method has been used with a wide range of crops (i.e., almond, mandarin, cotton or soya bean) from the time it was established to the presentday [15][16][17][18]. In persimmon crops, Klein et al [19] in Israel and in a single phenological stage have employed the DRIS method.…”

“…Nevertheless, to improve the precision of this diagnosis, it is necessary to establish norms from regional and local studies that take into account the variability of the nutrients and crops studied (climatic characteristics, production level, etc.) [17]. The DRIS method has not been used for persimmon cv.…”

Creating Foliar Diagnosis Rules for Almond Trees (Prunus dulcis, Mill.) Grown Under Different Watering Regimes: Irrigation vs Rainfed

“…Traditionally, the most-utilized interpretation method has been the Range of Normality (RN), although the other methods are more precise, as they take into account the equilibrium between nutrients, with the inconvenience that they are more complex due to the series of standards that are dependent on many factors, among which we find the type of soil, environmental conditions, or type of irrigation [3]. This methodology of interpretation has been applied to fruit crops such as banana, orange, pear, guava, or almonds [4][5][6][7].…”

“…Among the factors which determine the numerical value of these types of standards, the variety cultivated is one of the most important. Thus, for almonds, Ferrandez-Camara et al, [7] developed the DRIS, CND, and RN standards for the varieties Ferraduel, Ferragnes, and Garrigues in Spain, observing that these standards were similar for the first two varieties, but not for the Garrigues one. Chaleshtori et al, [9,10] obtained the DRIS standards for a wide collection of ornamental almond trees, observing that there were great differences between the varieties.…”