Diagnosis and recommendation integrated system approach for major and micronutrient diagnostic norms for apple (Malus Domestica Borkh) under varying ages and management practices of apple orchards

ABSTRACT

Various approaches for the Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) indices were employed like Beaufil's ER, Elwali and Gascho and Jones. As per the Beaufil's approach of DRIS indices, the nutrient requirements in the initial stage of the apple tree were magnesium > nitrogen > sulfur > phosphorus > copper > zinc > iron > manganese > boron > calcium > potassium (Mg > N > S > P > Cu > Zn > Fe > Mn > B > Ca > K) and in the later stage at 40–50 years, the nutrient requirements were S > Cu > Mg > Fe > P > N > Ca > Mn > K > Zn > B, thus demanding a foliar application of magnesium salt and urea which are required in high amounts in the initial stage; however in the later stage, the yield depression was not attributed to the nutrient deficiency but rather trees' genetic make-up which destabilizes the higher yield in the period of 50 years. Nutrient sufficiency ranges for apple derived from DRIS norms were 1.91–2.24, 0.18–0.26, 1.11–1.61, 1.74–1.88, 0.30–0.33 and 0.28–0.30% for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S), respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• DRIS
• apple
• plant tissue analysis

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, IARI, New Delhi for extending the laboratory facilities in carrying out the nutrient analysis. The authors are also thankful to the Indian Agricultural Statistical Research Institute for their assistance in the algorithm of the DRIS norms and indices.