Leaf analysis in the assessment of nutritional status of apple trees

Influence of fertiliser treatment on apple fruit composition and physiology

“…In each of the four seasons studied the total phosphorus content of the mid-cortical tissue increased in the following order of treatments: N, U, NPK, NP, and P. Contents of ethanol-soluble and ethanol-insoluble phosphorus followed the same trends. The trends in total phosphorus content exactly paralleled those already reported (Bollard, Ashwin, and McGrath 1962) for leaf tissue from the same trees. Thus in the 1958-9 season the correlation coefficient for leaf and fruit total phosphorus contents was 0.986, indicating almost perfect correlation in that year.…”

“…The contents of all three elements in NPK fruit exceeded those in N fruit. The between-treatment differences in potassium content paralleled those previously reported (Bollard, Ashwin, and McGrath 1962) for leaf tissue from the same trees. However, magnesium levels in leaf and fruit were not closely related.…”

Chemical Changes in apple tree tissues following applications of fertiliser nitrogen

“…The third series was collected on 20 March and the last series (on 24 April) just before the fruit crop was picked. The second series would correspond with samples taken according to the current recommendations for routine leaf analysis (Bollard et al 1962). …”

“…Information concerning the nutrients currently passing up from the root system has been obtained by analysis of xylem sap from shoots (Bollard 1953b). Only leaf analysis, however, has been seriously considered as providing a routine index for the nitrogen status of commercial trees (Emmert 1955;Bollard, Ashwin, and McGrath 1962).…”