Calcium, magnesium, and sodium uptake in Rabbit‐eye blueberries

Abstract

In a sand culture study with rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei Reade), increasing Na fertilization levels increased leaf concentrations of Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Zn, and reduced leaf K plus plant growth. Magnesium fertilization did not affect leaf concentration of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, or Zn. High Ca fertilization increased leaf Ca and Mg. Calcium and Mg fertilization did not independently influence plant vigor, chlorosis, or growth of leaves and stems. Higher Na fertilization levels decreased plant vigor plus leaf production and increased chlorosis. With low Na fertilization levels, high Mg fertilization reduced leaf production. At the highest levels of Na fertilization, Ca fertilization had a synergistic influence and Mg had an antagonistic effect on Na uptake.