THE INFLUENCE OF COLT AND F 12/1 ROOTSTOCKS ON SWEET CHERRY NUTRITION AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE LEAF CONTENT OF MAJOR NUTRIENTS

摘要

The mineral composition of shoot leaves of the sweet cherry cultivars 'Sam', 'Ulster' and 'Van' on rootstocks F 12/1 (Prunus avium) and Colt (Prunus avium x Prunus pseudocerasus) was studied over 11 years (1981-91). The leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentrations were consistently and significantly higher in trees of all cultivars on F 12/1 compared with trees on Colt. Leaf magnesium and calcium concentrations were significantly higher in trees of all cultivars on Colt compared with trees on F 12/1, except for calcium in the case of 'Ulster'. The same pattern of distribution of major nutrients was found in the leaves of unworked rootstocks. It is concluded that the differences in leaf concentration of major nutrients between trees on the two rootstocks are primarily attributable to the inherent capacity of the rootstock to absorb nutrients.