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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #73242
Title: INFLUENCE OF N, P, K, CA AND MG RATES ON LEAF ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATION AND PLANT GROWTH OF 'GULFCOAST' BLUEBERRY

Author
item BRASWELL, JOHN - MS COOP EXT SERVICE
item Spiers, James
item MATTA, FRANK - MS STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Very high and very low fertilizer treatments were compared to standard fertilizer treatments on 'Gulfcoast' southern highbush blueberry. Mineral uptake differences, plus toxicity and deficiency symptoms due to fertilizer imbalances are described. This study should help research and extension scientists in determining nutritional problems in southern highbush blueberries.

Technical Abstract: 'Gulfcoast' southern highbush blueberry plants were grown in sand culture for two years and fertilized with solutions consisting of five macro nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) applied at three different rates (0 Mg/l, control and 10X control). Foliar samples were collected at 4, 8 and 16 weeks after treatment initiation during the two growing seasons. The highest N rate resulted in high leaf concentrations of N and P and inhibited the uptake of K and Mg. Visual symptoms in relation to P were not readily apparent until the second year. High P rates resulted in increased P but inhibited the uptake of Cu. Fe amd Zn. The highest Mg rate inhibited Mg and Zn. Calcium deficiency symptoms were not readily apparent until the second year but toxicity symptoms occurred during the first year. The highest Mg rate resulted in increased Mg uptake but inhibited the uptake of Zn. Magnesium deficiency symptoms were readily apparent the first year while toxicity symptoms did not appear until the second year.