Influence of bicarbonate level on iron‐chlorosis development and nutrient uptake of the peach rootstock montclar¹

This article is from a thesis submitted to the Graduate School, Texas A&M University, by Yan Shi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. Degree in Horticulture.

Abstract

The peach rootstock Montclar [Prunus persica (Batsch) L.] was grown in sand culture supplied with half‐strength nutrient Hoagland No. 1 solution with 10 μM FeEDDHA at seven bicarbonate (HCO₃‐) levels: 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mM. Montclar developed chlorosis only at HCO₃‐ levels ≥ 10 mM. Above this level, chlorosis increased as HCO₃‐ level was increased. When HCO₃‐level increased, the contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn decreased; the concentrations of N, P, Ca, and Fe in the new branch growth decreased, but that of Mg and Mn did not change. The partitioning of N, P, Ca, Mg, and Fe to the new branch growth decreased, while the partitioning of K and Mn did not change. The partioning of Fe to the new branch growth decreased more than the partitioning of the other nutrients when the HCO₃‐ levels were higher than 10 mM. At low HCO₃‐ levels (< 10 mM), active‐Fe content decreased with increasing HCO₃ ⁻ level, even though no chlorosis was observed. The correlation between chlorosis and Fe concentration of the new branch growth was higher than the correlation between chlorosis and active Fe concentration.

Notes

This article is from a thesis submitted to the Graduate School, Texas A&M University, by Yan Shi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. Degree in Horticulture.