THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTIAL LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM
AND MAGNESIUM ON THE GROWTH AND CHEtlECAL COMPOSITION OF
THE LYCHEE (LITCHI CHINENSIS. SONN.)
DISSERTATION
Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the
Graduate School of the Ohio State
University
By
Jasper Newton Joiner, B.S. inAg., M.Ag,
■îHHHHHf
The Ohio State University
1958
Approved by
Adviser
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sincere appreciation is extended to Dr. F. S. Howlett, Chair­
man, Department of Horticulture and Forestry, The Ohio State Univer­
sity, for his great consideration and help throughout my graduate program
and for his thorough reading and helpful criticism of this manuscript.
Special thanks is hereby given to Mr. Ralph D. Dickey, Ornamental
Horticulturist, University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Station,
for his constant help and encouragement throughout the establishment,
operation and statistical analysis of this experiment.
Without his
patient help and guidance this work would have been considerably de­
layed.
The writer is also indebted to Dr. G. B. Hall, Associate
Horticulturist, Agricultural Experiment Station, and Dr. G. C. Horn,
Soils Chemist, Agricultural Extension Service, University of Florida,
for their assistance and counsel in making the chemical analyses of
this experiment.
To his wife, Corinne, the writer wishes to extend his sincere
appreciation for her patience, devotion, consideration and sacrifices
while this work was in progress.
11
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION ..............................................
1
LITERATURE REVISiT........................................
3
I4ATERIAL AND METHODS......................................
6
R E S U L T S .................................................
18
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TISSUE IN RELATION TO NUTRIENT SUPPLY
..................
Nitrogen
P o t a s s i u m ............................................
M a g n e s i u m .........
Phosphorus............................................
Calcium
......................................
Sodium...................
GROWTH RESPONSES IN RELATION TO NUTRIENT SUPPLY
18
24
38
46
52
54
...........
54
Canopy Growth
..................................
Caliper Growth.................
55
57
DISCUSSION..........................
73
S U M M A R Y ..................................................
84
APPENDIX
87
...............
BIBLIOGRAPHY ..............................................
111
105
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
1.
Confounding Procedure of the Experimental Design.......
10
2.
Composition of Solutions for Sand Culture Experiment . . .
11
3.
Composition of Fertilizer Treatments for Field Experiment.
l6
4.
Effect of Nitrogen and Potassium on Per Cent Nitrogen
in L e a v e s .............................................
5.
6.
?•
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13»
19
Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in Substrate
on Per Cent Nitrogen in Lychee T i s s u e ..................
20
Interaction Between Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate
on Per Cent Nitrogen in Leaves
.......................
21
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate on
Per Cent Nitrogen in Absorbing R o o t s .....................
21
Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium in Substrate on
Per Cent Nitrogen in R o o t s ..........................
23
Effects of Substrate Levels of Nitrogen, Potassium and
Magnesium on Per Cent Potassium in Lychee Tissue.........
25
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate on
Per Cent Potassium in Leaves, 1957 .......................
26
Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium in Substrate on
Potassium in L e a v e s ...............................
Interaction of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in
Substrate on Per Cent Potassium in L e a v e s ...............
26
30
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate on
Per Cent Potassiumin Leaves, 1958 .
..................
31
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate on
Per Cent Potassiumin Absorbing R o o t s ..................
32
15 * Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate on
Per Cent Potassiumin Leaves from Field P l o t s ..........
33
14*
16.
Interaction of Potassium and Magnesium in Substrate on
Per Cent Potassiumin Leaves from Field P l o t s ..........
IV
34
Table
Page
17. Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium in Substrate on
Per Cent Potassium in Leaves from Field P l o t s .............
18.
Interaction of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in
Substrate on Per Cent Potassium in Leaves from Field Plots.
34
35
19. Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in
20.
21.
22.
Substrate on Per Cent Magnesium in Lychee T i s s u e ........
39
Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium in Substrate
on Per Cent Magnesium in Leaves.............
40
Effect of Potassium and Magnesium in Substrate on
Per Cent Magnesium in L e a v e s .........
40
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate
on Per Cent Magnesium in R o o t s ........................
42
23. Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate
on Per Cent Magnesium in R o o t s .............
45
24. Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium in Substrate
on Per Cent Magnesium in R o o t s ........................
45
25. Interaction Between Potassium and Magnesium in Substrate
on Per Cent Magnesium in R o o t s ........................
46
26. Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in Substrate
on Per Cent Phosphorus in Tissue
.................
48
27. Interaction of Potassium and Magnesium in Substrate
28.
on Per Cent Phosphorus in L e a v e s .......................
50
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate
on Per Cent Phosphorus in Leaves
.............
50
29. Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium in Substrate
on Per Cent Phosphorus in R o o t s .........
51
30. Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in
Substrate on Per Cent Calcium in Tissue.................
53
31. Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in
Substrate on Per Cent Sodium in T i s s u e .................
55
32. Effects of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium in
Substrate on Growth Measurements......................
56
Table
33.
34.
Page
Interaction of Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesiumin
Substrate on Caliper Growth
..................
58
Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium in Substrate
on Caliper Growth........................................60
35-54.
Analysis of Variance Tables
........................
86-97
55.
pH of Culture Solutions
................................ 98
56.
Analyses of Soil Samples from Field P l o t s ................. 99
57.
Analyses of Soil Samples from Field P l o t s ................ 102
Vi
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page
Figure 1.
Mechanical Setup for Sand Culture Experiment . . .
9
Figure 2.
Deionizing Columns .............................
14
Plate I.
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium and
Nitrogen and Magnesium on Nitrogen Levels in
Lychee T i s s u e ..............................
22
Interaction Between Nitrogen, Potassium and
Magnesium on Potassium in Lychee Leaves . . . . .
2?
Plate II.
Plate III.
Interaction Between Nitrogen and Potassium and
Nitrogen and Magnesium on Potassium in Lychee
Tissue............. ......................... 2 8
Plate IV.
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium, Potassium
and Magnesium and Nitrogen and Magnesium on Level
of Potassium in Leaves from Field Plots ........
Plate V.
Interaction of Nitrogen,Potassium and Magnesium
on Potassium in Leaves from Field P l o t s ........37
Plate VI.
Interaction of Nitrogen and Magnesium, Nitrogen
and Potassium and Potassium and Magnesium on
Magnesium Levels in Leaf Tissue ...............
Plate VII.
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium, Nitrogen
and Magnesium and Potassium and Magnesium on
Magnesium Levels in R o o t s ..................... UU
Plate VIII.
Interaction of Potassium and Magnesium and
Nitrogen and Potassium on Phosphorus Levels in
Leaf and Root Tissue
.........................49
Plate IX.
36
41
Interaction of Nitrogen and Potassium and Nitrogen
and Magnesium on Caliper Increment
........... 59
Figure 26-30. Sand-cultured Trees Showing Results of Variable
Treatment .
.................................. 62-71
Vll
THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENTIAL LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM
AND MAGNESIUM ON THE GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF
THE LYCHEE (LITCHI CHINENSIS, SONN.)
INTRODUCTION
The lychee (Litchi chinensis, Sonn.), a member of the Sapindacea
family, is indigenous to South China where it has been cultivated for
centuries and esteemed as the king of fruits.
In China it is grown
commercially in the Kwantung, Fukien and Szechwan provinces (12).
Lychee
trees were first introduced into Florida between 1870 and 1880 (31),
but the original introduction was killed during the severe 1894-1895
freezes.
In 1907 the Reverend W. N. Brewster, a missionary to China,
introduced the famous Chen Family Purple lychee variety from Hinghwa,
Fukien Province, China, into the state (18),
This variety, termed
Brewster, is the one currently grown commercially in Florida.
Interest in commercial lychee production in Florida dates from
World War II, and since that time more than 13,500 commercial lychee
trees have been planted.
The estimated potential lychee production
from trees already planted is 1,350,000 pounds of fruit.
Under Florida
conditions the lychee is an erratic bearer and suffers from leaf tip
necrosis.
These two factors are among major deterrents to the growth
of the industry.
It is the belief of many research workers that these
factors are at least partially the result of nutritional deficiencies
within the tree.
Because of the growing interest in commercial lychee
production in Florida, this experiment was established to provide ba­
sic information on the leaf composition of lychees grown on widely
1
2
different mineral nutrient substrates, to compare growth responses
induced by varying rates of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium, and to
provide a basis for determining the nutritional requirements of the
lychee for these elements.
LITERATURE REVIEW
No critical research in the field of lychee nutrition has
been reported in the literature.
Only a few references to fertiliza­
tion practices appear and none of these result from research findings.
In China, for example, young lychee trees are fertilized heavily with
chicken or duck manure and night soil is applied several times a year.
Old trees are fertilized twice a year with 100 to 200 pounds of night
soil.
In addition soybean cake or peanut meal may be used at 5 to
10 pounds per tree (12).
Marloth (31) reports that in South Africa kraal manure is
used in lieu of night soil, and he recommends it at the rate of 50
pounds a year for young trees and up to 500 pounds for large trees.
Young (52) states that there are
no; systematic data from commercial
practices nor experimental evidence available upon which to base
fertilization practices for growing Ijchees in Florida.
As a result
of several observations, however, he recommended a 6-3-6-A formula,
utilizing about 30 pounds a year for eight-year-old trees, with in­
creasing amounts applied to larger trees.
Young*s recommendations
were for lychees grown on the sandy soils of central Florida.
Ap­
proximately the same recommendations are made by lynch (29) for lychees
grown on the oolitic limestone soils of Dade County, Florida, with the
exception that 30 per cent of the nitrogen be derived from natural
organic sources.
4
The literature is replete with experimental proof of the essen­
tiality of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium in the physiology of plant
growth and reproduction.
The fact that these elements are natively
low in most of Floridans sandy soils has also been well established (lO),
(16), (25), (35), and since deficiency effects of these elements on
lychee growth and production are not known, they have been included
as variables in this experiment.
Providing essential nutrients to the soil in such amounts that
the plant growing thereon will absorb them in such quantities under
various conditions, as to produce optimum growth and yields is an
ideal goal that will probably never be attained.
Such a goal can only
be approached by considerable research and by the use of specific crops
growing on various soil types.
The complexity of interpreting nutri­
tional research becomes obvious from a study of the literature con­
cerning basic concepts of critical nutrient levels and nutrient ele­
ment balance.
Ulrich (48) states that as the nutrient concentration
of a plant or plant part decreases, the critical concentration is that
narrow range of concentrations at which growth is first retarded in
comparison to plants with a higher nutrient concentration.
Macy (30)
outlined a theory with the central concept that there is a critical
percentage of each nutrient in each kind of plant, above which there
is luxury consumption and below which there is poverty adjustment,
which is almost proportional to the deficiency until a minimum per­
centage is reached.
Shear et al. (41)> Thomas (45), Wallace (49) and other propound
the nutrient-element balance concept which might at first glance seem to
5
be in opposition to the critical nutrient concentration concept.
The
balance concept states in principle that the absorption and accumula­
tion of nutrient ions are dependent on the absorption and accumulation
of other available ions.
Actually the balance concept can be con­
sidered as an extension of the critical nutrient concept.
There are
many factors that affect the critical nutirent concentration, nutrient
element balance being only one.
The critical nutrient concentrations of the various elements
have not been previously determined for lychees and this presents a
hindrance to the full evaluation of some of the data presented in
this experiment.
Certainly, however, results of the foliar analysis
used in this experiment as a guide in determining the nutritional
requirements of the lychee must be interpreted partially on the basis
of the fact that the concentration of any given element in the leaves
is not only a function of the concentration of that element in the
supply but also of the concentration of that element in relation to
some other elements in the supply and the consequent accumulation of
other elements in the leaves, or other plant parts, and their resultant
effects on metabolism and growth.
The technological and practical importance of ionic antagonisms
to the absorptive ability of plants for nutrient elements and the trans­
location and physiological utilization of these ions has been amply
demonstrated in citrus (ll), (16), (19), (20), (36), (38), avocados (9),
(28), potatoes, tobacco and sugar beets (34), pineapples (33), vege­
tables (2), (15), apples (3), (6), (8), peaches (14), and beets, flax,
oats and corn (26) as well as other crops.
7
Hewitt (21), Arnon et
(4), and Hoagland (23), with variations as
necessary (see Fig. l).
A 3x3x3 factorial experiment confounded in blocks of nine
treatments each was utilized and replicated four times for a total of
108 trees in this phase of the experiment.
shown in Table 1.
Confounding procedure is
The experimental unit consisted of one-tree plots.
Three levels each of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and magnesium
(Mg) were provided by solutions made of chemically pure salts in de­
ionized water with the following elemental concentrations in parts per
N 30, 80, 210; P 10; K 8 , 32, and 180; Ga 160 to 180;
million (ppm):
Mg 12, 24, and 54; Mn 0.5; Zn 0.05; Fe 0.5; B 0.25; Cu 0.01; and Mo
0.001.
The variable treatments therefore are as follows:
N - 1 = 30 ppm nitrogen
N - 2 = 80 ppm nitrogen
N - 3 = 210 ppm nitrogen
K - 1=
8 ppm potassium
K — 2=
yZ ppm potassium
K - 3 = 180 ppm potassium
% - 1 = 12 ppm magnesium
Mg - 2 = 24 ppm magnesium
Mg - 3 - 54 ppm magnesium
These treatments are often hereinafter referred to as low, medium and
high levels.
Composition of the three variables in the 27 nutrient
solutions are shown in Table 2.
Micro-nutrients were provided by dis­
solving 260 grams of manganese chloride (MnCl2 *4H20), 1.5 grams copper
sulfate (CuS0^*5H20) , 16 grams zinc sulfate (ZnS0/^*7H20), 103 grams
boric acid (H^BO^) and 6.5 grams of ammonium molybdate (NH^)2 MoO^
in 18 liters of water and utilizing this solution at the rate of g
milliliters per liter of solution.
100 grams of
Iron was provided by dissolving
NaFe versonol in 2.5 liters and by using l/lOmilliliter
of thisperliter
of
nutrient solution.
The solutions were
automatically
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This experiment consisted of two phases; a greenhouse and a
field phase.
The greenhouse phase was conducted in the University
of Florida, College of Agriculture greenhouses, Gainesville, Florida;
the field phase at Palmer Nurseries, Osprey, Florida.
Greenhouse phase; Three 15-year-old Brewster lychee trees
propagated from the same clonal stock and growing at the Palmer
Estate, Osprey, Florida, were chosen as source material for the green­
house phase of this experiment.
These trees were growing adjacent to
each other and had previously received the same cultural treatments.
Air-layers were made on 125 branches of the parent trees in February,
1957»
The air layers were removed on April 3, 1957, brought immediately
to Gainesville and placed under intermittent mist in the greenhouse
until root activity was apparent.
On April 13, 1957, 108 of the most
uniform layers were removed from the mist and planted in 26-quart
size, polyethylene containers filled with Berkeley silica sand, size
3 Q-ROK.
Variable treatments were initiated at time of potting.
The containers were placed on two center greenhouse benches
and connected by neoprene tubing to five-gallon, soft-glass carboys
below the bench.
Nutrient solutions in the carboys were pumped in by
air pressure through the bottom of the polyethylene containers and up
through the sand until the roots and soil were completely saturated.
Air pressure release then allowed the solution to gravity-drain back
into the carboys.
The mechanical setup embraced suggestions made by
6
Fig. 1.— Physical setup used in the sand culture,
greenhouse phase of the nutritional experiment with lychees.
8
10
pumped four times a day at 8 and 11 a.m, and 2 and 5 p.m. and were
changed monthly.
Solutions were maintained at 18 liters within the
carboys to facilitate pumping by the addition of de-ionized water as
needed between solution changes.
TABLE 1
CONFOUNDING PROCEDURE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN UTILIZED IN A
3x3x3 FACTORIAL EXPERIMENT ON LYCHEE NUTRITION CONDUCTED IN
THE FIELD AND IN SAND CULTURE. NUMBERS WITHIN THE TABLE
REPRESENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
Replication II
(ABc 2)
Confounded
Replication I
(ABC)
Confounded
la
N-K-Mg
Ib
N-K-Mg
Ic
N-K-Mg
Ila
N-K-Mg
Ilb
N-K-Mg
lie
N-K-Mg
1-1-1
1-2-3
1-3-2
2-1-3
2-2-2
2-3-1
3-1-2
3-2-1
3-3-3
1-1-2
1-2-1
1-3-3
2-1-1
2-2-3
2-3-2
3-1-3
3-2-2
3-3-1
1—1—3
1-2-2
1-3-1
2-1-2
2-2-1
2-3-3
3-1-1
3-2-3
3-3-2
1-1-1
1-2-2
1-3-3
2-1-2
2-2-3
2-3-1
3-1-3
3-2-1
3-3-2
1-1-3
1-2-1
1-3-2
2-1-1
2-2-2
2-3-3
3-1-2
3-2-3
3-3-1
1-1-2
1-2-3
1-3-1
2-1-3
2-2-1
2-3-2
3—1—1
3-2-2
3-3-3
Replication III
(AB^C)
Confounded
Replication IV
(AB^C^)
Confounded
Ilia
N-K-Mg
Illb
N-K-Mg
IIIc
N-K-Mg
IVa
N-K-Mg
IVb
N-K-Mg
IVc
N-K-Mg
1-1-1
1-2-2
1-3-3
2-1-3
2—2—1
2-3-2
3-1-2
3-2-3
3-3-1
1-1-2
1-2-3
1-3-1
2-1-1
2-2-2
2-3-3
3-1-3
3-2-1
3-3-2
1-1-3
1-2-1
1-3-2
2-1-2
2-2-3
2-3-1
3-1-1
3-2-2
3-3-3
1-1-1
1-2-3
1-3-2
2-1-2
2-2-1
2-3-3
3-1-3
3-2-2
3-3-1
1-1-3
1-2-2
1-3-1
2-1-1
2-2-3
2-3-2
3-1-2
3-2-1
3-3-3
1-1-2
1—2—1
1-3-3
2-1-3
2-2-2
2-3-1
3-1-1
3-2-3
3-3-2
TABLE 2
MILLIMETERS OF MOLAR SOLUTIONS OF VARIOUS CHEMICAL COMPOUims PER 18 LITERS OF DE-IONIZED
WATER UTILIZED TO PROVIDE NITROGEN AT VARIABLE RATES OF 30, 80 and 210 ppm,
POTASSIUM AT 8, 32 and 180 ppm AND MAGNESIUM AT 12, 24 and 54 ppm
Treatment : NH^NO^ ;
1-1-1
1-1-2
1-1-3
1-2-1
1-2-2
1-2-3
1-3-1
1-3-2
1-3-3
2-1-1
2-1-2
2-1-3
2-2-1
2-2-2
2-2-3
2-3-1
2-3-2
2-3-3
3-1-1
3-1-2
3-1-3
3-2-1
3-2-2
3-2-3
3-3-1
3-3-2
3-3-3
( ^ 4 )2^4 :
3.85
3.85
3.85
3.85
3.85
3.85
3.85
3.85
3.85
10.26
10.26
10.26
10.26
10.26
10.26
10.26
10.26
10.26
54.0
54.0
54.0
54.0
54.0
54.0
54.0
54.0
54.0
CafNO^jg ; CaSO^^ ; H^PO^ : KHgPO^ ; KgHPO^ : KCl
15.48
2.12
2.12
2.12
3.68
3.68
1.62
15.48
15.48
56.34
56.34
56.34
56.34
56.34
15.48
56.34
5.76
15.48
56.34
56.34
56.34
30.78
30.78
30.78
5.76
15.48
15.48
15.48
15.48
41.04
41.04
41.04
41.04
41.04
41.04
41.04
41.04
41.04
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
81.0
1.62
1.62
3.68
5.76
5.76
5.76
5.76
2.12
2.12
2.12
5.76
5.76
5.76
5.76
30.78
30.78
30.78
39.96
8.82
71.28
71.28
71.28
1.62
1.62
5.76
3.24
3.24
3.24
3.24
3.24
3.24
71.28
71.28
71.28
16.02
38.34
8.82
17.64
17.64
39.96
1.62
1.62
1.62
5.76
5.76
5.76
5.76
5.76
5.76
17.64
39.96
7.20
39.96
8.82
71.28
71.28
71.28
3.68
3.68
3.68
7.20
16.02
38.34
8.82
17.64
1.62
5.76
2.12
2.12
2.12
3.24
3.24
3.24
3.68
3.68
3.68
30.78
30.78
30.78
: %C1^ : MgSO^
7.20
16.02
38.34
8.82
17.64
39.96
8.82
17.64
39.96
Ca maintained at 160 ppm except in the 9 treatments containing the highest level of nitrogen
in these nine treatments Ca content is 180.36 ppm.
12
An effort was made to control pH of the solutions by providing
80 per cent of the nitrogen from nitrate sources and 20 per cent from
ammoniacal sources (46), (50).
De-ionized water was obtained by using two, four-inch glass
columns each of Rohm and Haas' Amberlite IRA-410 anion exchange resin
and Amberlite IR-120 cation exchange resin.
These resin columns were
placed alternately and connected in series (Fig. 2) and had a capacity
of approximately 10 to 15 gallons of water an hour.
Growth indices included caliper measurements recorded in milli­
meters and, to indicate extent of canopy growth, canopy diameter at the
widest point and canopy height were measured and added together and
averaged.
Growth measurements were taken May 29, 1957, October 31,
1957 and March 11, 1958.
Mature leaves immediately posterior to the last flush of growth
were harvested randomly from each branch of the layered trees on
November 1, 1957, and at the termination of the experiment, March 11,
1958, for chemical analyses.
At the termination of the experiment
actively absorbing roots were harvested and the sand removed by wash­
ing in de-ionized water.
Tissue samples were placed in paper bags, dried in a hot-air
oven at 65 degrees centigrade for 48 hours and ground in a Wiley Mill
through a 40-mesh screen.
One gram samples were analyzed for total
nitrogen by the improved Kjeldahl procedure outlined in A.G.A.C. (5).
Another gram sample of the ground material was ashed in a muffle furnace
at 450-500 degrees centigrade, dissolved in 40 per cent hydrochloric
acid (hoi), evaporated to dryness to remove silicates and brought up to
Fig, 2.— Amberlite anion and cation exchange
resin columns utilized to obtain deionized water for
the nutrient solutions.
13
14
TOP
15
volume in 0.1 normal HCl.
Aliquots of this dissolved ash were then
analyzed for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium.
Phosphorus was determined colorimetrically by the stannous-chloride,
ammonium molybdate method (5), using a Bausch-Lomb colorimeter.
Potassium, sodium (Na), and calcium (Ca) were determined using the
Beckman Model B flame spectrophotometer and Mg, using a Beckman Model
DU flame spectrophotometer.
Prior to determining Ga and Mg with the flame spectrophoto­
meter, aliquots of the prepared ash solution were passed through a
column of Dowex l-8x, 50-100 mesh, medium porocity, styrene type,
chloride form anion exchange resin for the removal of interfering
anions in a procedure outlined by Horn (24).
Field Phase; Variable fertilizer treatments were applied to
six-year-old Brewster lychee trees in the same 3x3x3 confounded de­
sign as utilized in the greenhouse phase.
The three variables,
nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium were provided from ammonium nitrate,
potassium sulfate and magnesium sulfate at the rates of N-1, 0.4; N-2,
0.8; and N-3, 1.6 pounds of nitrogen, K-1, 0.2; K-2, 0.6; and K-3, 1.8
pounds of potassium, and Mg-1, 0.1; Mg-2, 0.3; and Mg-3> 0.9 pounds
of magnesium per tree per year.
The treatments were split into three
applications per year with the first application made on May 1, 1957,
and applied every four months thereafter.
Composition of the field
treatments is given in Table 3*
Trunk circumference measured in tenths of inches at designated
spots about six inches above ground level was used as the growth index.
Such measurements were made May 22, 1957, and again June 11, 1958.
16
TABLE 3
GOMPOSITON OF FERTILIZER TREATMENTS OF A 3x3x3
FACTORIAL EXPERIMENT ON 6-TEAR-OLD LYCHEE
TREES AT OSPREY, FLORIDA
Treatments
Pounds of Actual N—K—Mg
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1-1-1
1-1-2
1.1-3
1-2-1
1-2-2
1-2-3
1-3-1
1-3-2
1-3-3
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
_ 0.2
— 0.2
—
0.2
— 0.6
—
0.6
— 0.6
— 1.8
— 1.8
— 1.8
10
11
12
13
14
15
17
18
2-1-1
2-1-2
2-1-3
2-2-1
2—2—2
2-2-3
2-3-1
2-3-2
2-3-3
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
3—1—1
3-1-2
3-1-3
3-2-1
3-2-2
3-2-3
3-3-1
3-3-2
3-3-3
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
16
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.6
0.6
1.8
1.8
1.8
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.6
0.6
1.8
1.8
- 1.8
—
—
—
—
—
—
Pounds of
NH^NO^-K^SO^-MgSO^
0.1
0.3
0.9
0.1
0.3
0.9
0.1
0.3
0.9
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
0.1
— 0.3
— 0.9
—
0.1
— 0.3
— 0.9
— 0.1
— 0.3
— 0.9
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
2.2
0.1
0.3
0.9
0.1
0.3
0.9
0.1
0.3
0.9
4.4
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
_
0.4 - 0.5
0.4 - 1.5
—
0.4 — 4*5
— 1.2 - 0.5
—
—
—
—
—
—
1.2 - 1*5
1.2 - 4.5
3.6 - 0.5
3.6 - 1.5
3.6 - 4.5
0.4 — 0.4 — 0.4 —
1.2 1.2 — 1.2 — 3.6 — 3.6 — 3.6 —
4*4 —
4.4 —
4.4 —
4*4 —
4 *4 —
4.4 —
4.4 —
4.4 —
0.5
1.5
4.5
0.5
1*5
4*5
0.5
1.5
4*5
0.4 - 0.5
0.4 - 1*5
0.4 - 4*5
1.2 - 0.5
1.2 - 1.5
1.2 —
3.6 3.6 3.6 -
4*5
0.5
1.5
4*5
Superphosphate 1.3 lb. / tree / appl
Recently matured leaves were harvested randomly at shoulder
height from all sides of the tree for chemical analyses.
were taken May 22, 1957» and June 11, 1958.
Leaf samples
The same analytical pro­
cedures described above were used for the field tissue samples.
17
Several severe freezes during the blooming period, FebruaryMarch, prevented the obtaining of fruit yield data in 1958.
Statistical Methods
All data on growth responses and leaf composition as affected
by individual elements and combinations were studied by means of
analysis of variance as outlined by Cochran and Cox (13).
presented in tables and graphs.
Data are
In general only the data having
statistical significance have been presented in the graphs or discussed
in the text.
RESULTS
CHEM]CAL COMPOSITION OF TISSUE IN RELATION TO
NUTRIENT SUPPLY
Nitrogen
The effect of treatments on the nitrogen content of tissue from
the samples taken is shown in Table 5.
The amount of nitrogen and
potassium in the solutions had a highly significant positive effect on
content of nitrogen in leaves harvested in 1957 from lychee trees
grown in sand culture (see Appendix, Table 35, for analysis of vari­
ance).
Data presented in Table k show that for every increase in
nitrogen in the supply there was a highly significant increase of
nitrogen in the leaves and there was a significant increase in leaf
nitrogen between low potassium and high potassium in the supply.
There
was no interaction between nitrogen and potassium at this sampling date,
which means that there was no significant difference in leaf nitrogen
between any nitrogen-potassium combination.
Analyses of leaf samples taken in 1958 from trees grown in
sand culture indicated the same main effects of treatments as those
taken the previous year, that is, amounts of nitrogen and potassium in
the substrate had highly significant effects on leaf content of nitro­
gen.
(Analysis of variance given in Table 36, Appendix.)
Nitrogen
level means (Table 6) show that with each increment of nitrogen and
potassium in the supply there was a highly significant increase of
nitrogen in the tissue.
There was an interaction of nitrogen and
potassium on leaf nitrogen in the 1958 samples taken from trees grown
in sand culture and this can be seen graphically in Plate I, Fig. 3.
18
19
TABLE 4
EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE
ON PER CENT NITROGEN IN LEAVES OF LICHEES
GROWN IN SAND CULTURE. GREENHOUSE 1957
Nitrogen in Substrate
Potassium
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
Level
K-1,
8 ppm
3.00
1.69
2.36
2.35
K-2, 32 ppm
1.71
2.36
2.91
2.33
3.08
K-3, 180 ppm
2.04
2.51
2.54
Nitrogen level means
3.00
1.81
2.41
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
0,01
0.15
0.05
0.11
At the low level of nitrogen each increase of potassium in the
substrate significantly increased leaf nitrogen (Table 6).
At the
medium nitrogen level leaf nitrogen increased with an increase of
potassium from low to medium, but the high potassium level did not
increase leaf nitrogen above that of the medium potassium level.
At
the high nitrogen supply, leaf nitrogen increased when potassium was
supplied at the high level as compared with the medium level, but there
was no difference between the other levels of potassium supply.
As would be expected, the amount of nitrogen in the supply had
a highly significant effect on the nitrogen content of absorbing root
tissue harvested from trees grown in sand culture.
Appendix, for analysis of variance.)
(See Table 31,
In addition to this main effect
there was a highly significant interaction between nitrogen and potas­
sium and a significant interaction between nitrogen and magnesium on
nitrogen accumulation in the roots.
These interactions are summarised
in Tables 7 and 8 and shown graphically in Plate 1, Figs. 4 and 5*
20
TABLE 5
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
IN THE SUBSTRATE ON THE PER GENT NITROGEN IN THE TISSUE
OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE AND IN THE FIELD
Per cent nitrogen on dry weight basis in
Treatment
Leaf Samples from
: Root Samples from
Components;
K
Mg: Sand culture Sand culture Field :
Sand culture
No. N
trees - 1958
trees - 1957 trees - 1958 1958 :
1.18
1
1
1. 1
1.67
1.77
1.17
1
2
1.61
1.16
1.18
2. 1
1.59
1.82
1
1.16
3
1.77
1.29
3. 1
2
1
1.56
1.64
1.27
4. 1
1.17
2
2
2.16
1.24
1.91
5. 1
1.19
2
6. 1
1.67
1.24
1.27
3
1.94
2.08
1
1.12
3
2.49
1.27
7. 1
2.18
2
2.28
1.28
8. 1
1.06
3
1.86
2.36
1.23
3
3
9. 1
1.31
1
1
1.26
10. 2
2.42
1.42
2.47
1
2
11. 2
2.40
2.34
1.31
1.49
2.28
1
2.18
12. 2
1.40
3
1.25
2
1
2.91
2.44
1.15
13. 2
1.43
2
2
1.38
2.64
14. 2
2.41
1.25
2
1.28
2.56
1.40
2.24
3
15. 2
1
2.56
16. 2
2.78
1.42
3
1.33
2
2
2.40
1.38
2.63
3
17.
1.44
18. 2
2.58
1.48
3
3
2.55
1.35
1
1
2.98
1.50
19. 3
3.14
1.45
1
2
3.12
20. 3
1.32
3.39
1.57
1
21. 3
1.26
2.89
3
3.23
1.35
2
1
22. 3
1.62
3.09
3.35
1.35
2
2
3.00
23. 3
3.17
1.51
1.65
2
1.36
1.48
2.65
3
3.03
24. 3
1
1.38
3.09
25. 3
3
3.43
1.35
2
26. 3
3.62
1.30
3
3.17
1.34
1.21
3.30
3
3
2.99
27. 3
1.51
Potassium levels had no significant effect on nitrogen accumula­
tion in the roots at the low nitrogen supply (Table ?)•
At the medium
nitrogen level there was no significant differences caused by K-1 and
K-3 levels, but K-2 level suppressed nitrogen uptake by comparison.
The interaction of various potassium levels in supply was greatest at
high nitrogen supply.
There was an increase in root nitrogen content
21
at this nitrogen level caused by the first increment of potassium, but
the second potassium increment suppressed nitrogen accumulation in the
tissue.
TABLE 6
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE
ON PER CENT NITROGEN IN LYCHEE LEAVES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Level
K-1,
8
K-2, 30
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
Nitrogen in Substrate
Potassium
N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
N-1, 30 ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
1.71
1.91
2.38
2.00
2.33
2.70
2.65
2.56
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium 1.ovel means
Between means within table
3.25
3.18
3...45
3.30
2.43
2.60
2.83
0.05
0.15
0.01
0.20
0.34
0.26
TABLE 7
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON THE
PER CENT NITROGEN IN ABSORBING ROOTS OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Level
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
Nitrogen Level in Substrate
Potassium
N-1, 30 ppm
N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
1.17
1.25
1.16
1.19
LSD
Between nitrogen level means
Between means within table
1.44
1.27
1.45
1.38
1.44
1.58
1.30
1.44
1.35
1.37
1.30
0.05
0.08
0.14
0.01
0.11
0.18
There was no significant difference caused by various levels of
magnesium at N-1 and N-2 levels in the substrate (Table 8).
At the
Plate
Interaction
of nitrogen and potossium
nitrogen levels in tissue of
4.0-1
3.0-1
3 2 ppm
K -3 = 1 8 0 ppm
K-2-
and nitrogen and magnesium in substrate
tyctiees grown in sand culture.
3 On
K -1 8 ppm
K -2 = 3 2 ppm
K -3 = 1 8 0 ppm
Mg - I =
M g-2 =
M g -3 =
on
12 ppm
2 4 ppm
5 4 ppm
o>
5
2 .0
3.0-
20-
-
a
a.
-------- Mgj
o
o
20
1. 0 -
o>
C '0-
c
n
cr
o
D-
Z
80
ppm
Nitrogen
210
in
L e a f sam ples - Greenhouse
Fig. 3
30
supply
1958
80
ppm
R oot
Nitrogen
210
30
sam ples - Greenhouse
Fig. 4
80
ppm
in supply
1958
Root
Nitrogen
210
in
supply
sam ples - Greenhouse
F ig . 5
1958
23
high nitrogen level, however, Mg-3 level significantly suppressed
nitrogen content of the roots as compared with the other treatments.
Medium magnesium produced a significant increase in nitrogen absorption
over high magnesium at N-3 level of supply.
TABLE 8
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON
PER GENT NITROGEN IN ROOTS OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND
CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Nitrogen Level in Substrate
Magnesium
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
Level
Mg-1, 12
Mg-2, 24
Mg-3, 54
Nitrogen
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
1.19
1.15
1.25
1.19
1.33
1.44
1.38
1.38
LSD
Between nitrogen level means
Between means within table
1.49
1.52
1.32
1.44
1.34
1.37
1.32
0.05
0.08
0.14
0.01
0.11
0.18
Analytical data from field samples taken in 1957 are not in­
cluded in the results or discussion of this experiment inasmuch as the
samples were taken 22 days following the first application of ferti­
lizer treatments.
In this length of time the tissue probably did not
reflect any results of treatments.
Such data were taken to gain
preliminary information on the chemical composition of average lychee
leaves, since no previous analyses have been reported in the litera­
ture.
The second set of leaf samples were taken from the field 13g
months following treatment initiation and probably reflect, partially
at least, treatment effect.
In these samples there were no significant
interactions between any of the variable elements supplies on nitrogen
24
accumulation in the leaves.
The only element which significantly
affected the nitrogen content of the leaves was the amount of nitrogen
supplied to the soil.
The nitrogen level means in percentage of dry
weight in the leaves at the various nitrogen levels in the solution
were N-1, 0.92; N-2, 1.00; and N-3, 1.04*
The least significant dif­
ference (LSD) at the 5 per cent level is 0.08 and at the 1 per cent
level is 0.10 (see Table 37, Appendix, for analysis of variance).
There was a significant increase in leaf nitrogen resulting from the
increment of soil nitrogen from low to medium and no significant in­
crease between levels N-2 and N-3, but a highly significant increase
between levels N-1 and N-3*
The nitrogen content of leaves and absorbing roots was largely
dependent upon the nitrogen supply in the substrate.
The supply of
potassium in the substrate also positively affected the nitrogen con­
tent of the leaves only, but not to the same degree as did nitrogen in
the substrate.
The supply of magnesium affected nitrogen absorption
only through its interaction effect with potassium in the case of the
root samples.
Potassium
Treatment effects on potassium content of tissue from all
samples taken are given in Table 9*
In the 1957 leaf samples taken
from trees grown in sand culture only the potassium in the substrate
produced a statistically significant main effect on potassium accumula­
tion in the leaf tissue.
With each increase in potassium supplied
there was a highly significant increase in leaf potassium.
By 1958,
25
however, nitrogen in the supply had a significant effect on potassium
uptake and generally an increase in supply of nitrogen decreased leaf
potassium.
Potassium in the solutions again resulted in a highly sig-
nigicant positive effect on leaf potassium in the 1958 samples.
TABLE 9
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
IN THE SUBSTRATE ON THE PER CENT POTASSIUM IN THE
TISSUE OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
AND IN THE FIELD
Treatment
Per cent
Leaf
Components Sand culture
No. N
K
Mg trees - 1957
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
.84
.87
.74
1.35
1.72
1.41
2.27
2.28
2.02
.77
.85
.93
1.60
1.36
1.47
2.11
2.10
2.14
.90
.93
1.00
1.52
1.39
1.32
1.79
2.04
2.27
potassium on dry weight basis in
Root samples from
Samples from
Sand culture Field
Sand culture
:
trees - 1958 1958
:
trees - 1958
1.05
1.04
1.10
1.50
1.70
1.56
2.55
2.32
.50
.70
.50
.62
.58
.67
.66
.58
.34
.45
.42
1.04
2.42
.62
.85
1.02
1.08
1.57
1.65
1.38
2.09
2.13
2.26
1.45
1.11
1.29
1.38
1.55
1.46
2.11
2.05
2.23
.49
.54
.45
.68
.17
.28
.22
.88
.94
.69
.56
.56
.55
.56
.62
.59
.62
.47
.45
.43
.53
'
.54
.47
.44
.72
.77
.78
.27
.29
.24
.38
.48
.91
.41
.74
.56
.61
.36
.33
.33
.38
There was a significant first order interaction between nitro­
gen and potassium and a highly significant interaction between
26
nitrogen and magnesium on leaf potassium in the 1957 greenhouse leaf
tissue.
(Plate III, Figs. 9 and 10, and Tables 10 and 11.)
At the
low level of potassium supplied there was a significant increase in
leaf potassium as nitrogen in the substrate increased from low to high.
Nitrogen had no significant effect on leaf potassium at the medium
potassium level, but an increase in nitrogen from low to high signifi­
cantly decreased potassium absorption at the high potassium level,
TABLE 10
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON
PER CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1957)
Potassium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N--3, 210 ppm Level Means
Level
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3. 180
Nitrogen
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
0.82
1.49
2.19
1,50
0.85
1.47
2.11
1.4Ô
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
0.95
1.41
2.03 .
1.46
0.87
1.46
2.11
0.05
0.07
0.12
0.01
0.10
0.17
TABLE 11
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM ON PER CENT POTASSIUM
IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
(GREENHOUSE, 1957)
Magnesium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
Level
N-1, 30 ppm N—2, 80 ppm N--3, 210 ppm Level Means
1.46
Mg-1, 12 ppm
1.49
1.49
1.40
1.50
Mg-2, 24 ppm
1.62
1.43
1.45
1.48
Mg-3, 54 ppm
1.39
1-51
1.53
Nitrogen level means
1.50
1.48
1.46
LSD
Between nitrogen and magnesium level means
Between means within table
0.05
0.07
0.12
0.01
0.10
0.17
Plate I!
Interaction effect between nitrogen, potassium and magnesium in the substrate on potassium
levels in leaves of lychees grown in sand culture,
K- I =
K -2 =
8 ppm
32
ppm
K - 3 = IS O
ppm
30i
3.01
1957
3.01
o>
. .— Ka
■o
- z.o*
2 .0 -
2.0 -
_Ki
1.0-
1.0 -
0.0
12
1.0 -
0.0
24
ppm Magnesium in supply
3 0 ppm Nitrogen
54
0.0
I2
24
ppm M agnesium in supply
8 0 ppm Nitrogen
F ig. 6
54
I2
24
ppm Magnesium in supply
210
ppm N itro ge n
54
28
Plate
Interaction of nitrogen and potassium and nitrogen and magnesium in ttie
substrate on potassium levels in tissue of lyctiees
grown in sand culture.
3.0-1
3 On
8 ppm
K-
Mg-2' 24
x:
0»
ppm
M g - 3 = 5 4 ppm
O)
— - «
2 .0-
K j
—*KI
Mg,
c l
.
O
-
E
o
£
o.
ic
210
80
30
L e a f s o m p le s - G reentiouse
210
80
ppm
ppm N itro ge n in s u p p ly
N itro g e n in s u p p ly
L e a f sa m p le s - G reenhouse
1957
F ig. 7
1957
F ig . 8
3.0-1
3 .On
■5 2.0CD
a.
I
c 1.0-
I
S.
30
80
210
ppm Nitrogen In supply
L e a f sa m p le s - G reenhouse
F ig . 9
30
80
ppm
1958
210
N itrogen in supply
L e a f sa m p le s - G reentiouse
F ig
10
1958
29
Nitrogen had no effect on potassium accumulation in the 1957
leaf samples from trees grown in sand culture at the low level of
magnesium (Table 11).
At the medium magnesium level in the supply
there was a highly significant decrease in leaf potassium as nitrogen
was increased from low to medium, with no significant change between
t he high and medium nitrogen levels. Nitrogen increase from low to
medium in the supply significantly increased potassium uptake at the
high magnesium level.
There was no significant change in potassium
absorption as nitrogen was further increased to the high level.
A three-factor interaction between nitrogen, magnesium and
potassium affected potassium absorption in the 1957 greenhouse leaf
samples.
(Table 12 and Plate II, Fig. 6.)
There was no significant
effect of magnesium on potassium uptake at the low nitrogen-low
potassium, medium nitrogen-low potassium or high nitrogen-low potas­
sium treatments.
At the low nitrogen-medium potassium levels an
increase in magnesium from low to medium increased potassium uptake
significantly, but the second magnesium increment to the high level
depressed potassium absorption significantly as compared with medium
magnesium level, but there was no difference between Mg-1 and Mg-3
treatments.
Increasing magnesium from low to medium at the medium
nitrogen-medium potassium levels significantly depressed potassium
accumulation in the tissue.
There was no additional significant
change as magnesium was further increased.
Potassium absorption was
significantly depressed at the low nitrogen-high potassium levels of
supply as magnesium was increased from medium to high, whereas, mag­
nesium supply had no significant effect on potassium absorption at
the medium nitrogen-high potassium treatments.
At the high nitrogen-
30
high potassium levels, however, increasing magnesium at all levels of
supply significantly increased potassium accumulation in the leaves.
TABLE 12
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUB­
STRATE ON THE PER CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES
GROWN IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1957)
Nitrogen and Magnesium Levels in Substrate
N-2 80 ppm
N-1, 30 ppm
N-3,, 210 ppm
Levels Mg-1
Mg-2
Mg-3
Mg-1
Mg-2
Mg-3 Mg-1
Mg-2
Mg-3
12 ppm 24 ppm 54ppm 12 ppm 24 ppm 54 PPm
12 ppm 24 ppm 54 PPm
K-1,
8 ppm
0.84
0.87
0.74
0.77
0.85
0.93
0.90
0.94
1.01
32 ppm 1.35
1.73
1.41
1.60
1.36
1.47
1.52
1.39
1.32
K-3,
180 ppm 2.27
2.28
2.02
2.11
2.10
2.14
1.79
2.04
2.27
0.05
0.22
0.01
0.29
K-2,
LSD
B etween means within table
Nitrogen and potassium supplied to the substrate significantly
affected potassium absorption and accumulation in leaves taken from
the sand cultured trees in 1958— nitrogen at the 5 per cent level and
potassium at the 1 per cent level (Table 13).
Generally, the main
effect of potassium was positive whereas the main effect of nitrogen
was erratic.
Interaction of nitrogen and potassium on potassium accumulation
in the leaves of greenhouse trees taken in 1958 are presented in Table
13 and are shown graphically on Plate III, Fig. 9«
At the low potas­
sium level the N-3 treatment was significantly better than N-1 and N-2
treatments on potassium accumulation.
At the intermediate potassium
31
level nitrogen had no significant effect; however, at the high potas­
sium supply level increasing nitrogen from low to medium in the sub­
strate produced a highly significant depression of potassium accumulation
within the leaves, with no further significant results as nitrogen was
increased to the high supply level.
TABLE 13
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN
SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Potassium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm. N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3. 180
Nitrogen
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
1.07
1.59
2.43
1.69
0.98
1.53
2.16
1.56
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
1.28
1.53
2.13
1.65
1.11
1.55
2.24
0.05
0.11
0.19
0.01
0.14
0.25
Generally there was considerably less potassium stored in the
fine root tissue than in the leaves of lychees grown in sand culture
(Table 9) at all treatment levels.
The differential quantities of
potassium within the two tissues were much greater than existed in the
case of nitrogen.
Nitrogen had a highly significant inverse effect on
potassium assumulation in the fine roots.
The mean level of root potas­
sium in per cent dry weight at nitrogen level N-1 was 0.66, at N-2 was
0.49 and at N-3 dropped to 0.39 (Table 14).
Potassium content of the
solutions, on the other hand, had a highly significant positive effect
on potassium accumulation by the root tissue between K-1 and K-2 and
K-3 levels but not between K-2 and K-3 levels.
32
TABLE 14
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON THE
PER CENT POTASSIUM IN ABSORBING ROOTS OF LYCHEES
GROWN IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
Potassium
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
0.40
0.95
0.64
0.66
0.22
0.48
0.75
0.49
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
0.27
0.56
0.34
0.39
0.30
0.66
0,58
0.05
0.10
0.17
0.01
0.13
0.23
Interaction of nitrogen and potassium in the solutions on
potassium accumulation in the absorbing roots of lychees is shown in
Table 14 and graphically in Plate III, Fig. 10.
At the low level of
potassium an increase in nitrogen from N-1 to N-2 levels significantly
reduced potassium accumulation in the fine roots, but the further
addition of nitrogen to the solutions had no additional effect.
The
same situation existed at the medium potassium level in that the in­
crement of nitrogen from low to medium significantly suppressed potas­
sium accumulation.
occurred.
At the high potassium supply the reverse condition
Potassium storage in the roots was significantly reduced
at the low nitrogen-high potassium treatment as compared with the low
nitrogen-medium potassium.
As nitrogen was increased from medium to
high at the K-3 level potassium accumulation significantly decreased.
Analysis of leaves taken from field plots in 1958 show a high
degree of main effects and first and second order interaction between
all of the variable elements within the treatments.
Main and
33
interaction effects of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium on accumulation
of leaf potassium can be seen by noting the potassium, nitrogen and
magnesium level means columns in Tables 15, 16, 17, and 18, and are
shown graphically in Plates IV and V.
The low amounts of potassium in
the leaf tissue as shown in these tables and graphs indicate a defi­
ciency level of this element within the trees.
The extremely minute
variations in leaf potassium levels due to treatments applied are pos­
sibly due to this deficiency condition and the fact that when these
data were taken insufficient time had probably elapsed from the begin­
ning of treatments for them to have had much effect.
Thus the statisti­
cal significance of the data in this instance is of questionable value.
TABLE 15
INTERACTION OF MTROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON THE
PER CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN
THE FIELD (FIELD, 1958)
Level
Nitrogen Levels in, Substrate
Potassium
N-1, 0.4 lb. N-2, 0.8 lb. N-3, 1.6lb.Level Means
tree
tree
tree
K-1, 2.02 lb./
tree
.57
.49
.45
.50
K-2, 0.6 lb./
tree
.62
.57
.47
.55
.62
.61
.55
.64
.52
.62
.60
0.05
0.01
0.02
0,01
0.02
0.03
K-3, 1.8 lbs./
tree
Nitrogen means levels
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
34
TABLE 16
INTERACTION OF POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON
PER CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN THE FIELD (FIELD, 195B)
Levels
Potassium Levels in Substrate
Magnesium
K-1, 0.2 lb. K-2, 0.6 lb. K-3, 1.8 lb. Level Means
tree
tree
tree
Mg-1, 0.1 lb./
tree
.49
.57
.67
.58
Mg-2, 0.3 lb./
tree
.56
.55
.58
.56
Mg-3, 0.9 lb./
tree
.46
Potassium mean levels .50
.55
.62
.62
.54
.55
0.05
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.03
LSD
Between potassium and magnesium level means
Between means within table
TABLE 17
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON
PER CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN THE FIELD (FIELD, 1958)
Levels
Magnesium
Nitrogen Levels Applied
N-1, 0.4 lb. N-2, 0.8 lb1. N-3, 1.6 lb. Level Means
tree
tree
tree
Mg-1, 0.1 lb./
tree
.59
.56
.58
.56
Mg-2, 0.3 lb./
tree
.62
.56
.50
.56
Mg-3, 0.9 lb./
tree
Nitrogen level means
.60
.54
.55
.48
.52
.54
0.05
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.03
.60
LSD
Between nitrogen and magnesium level means
Between means within table
TABLE 18
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN
THE SUBSTRATE ON PER CENT POTASSIUM IN LEAVES
OF LYCHEES GROWN IN THE FIELD (FIELD, 1958)
Nitrogen and Magnesium Levels Applied
N-1, 0.4 lb./tree
N-3, 1.6 lbs./tree
N-2, 0.8 lb./tree
Levels
Mg-1
Yig-2
Mg-3
0.1 lb./ 0.3 lb./ 0.3 lb./
tree
tree
tree
K-1, 0.2 lb./
tree
Mg-1
%-2
Mg-3
Mg-1
Mg-2
Mg-3
0.1 lb./ 0.3 lb./ 0.9 lb./ 0.1 lb./ 0.3 lb./ 0.9 lb./
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
.50
.70
.50
.49
.54
.45
.45
.45
.43
K-2, 0.6 lb./
tree
.62
.58
.67
.56
.55
.56
.53
.48
.41
K-3, 1.8 lbs./
tree
,66
.58
.62
.62
.59
.62
.74
.56
.61
0.05
0.04
0.01
0.06
LSD
Between means within table
Vj O
Plate
IV
Interaction of nitrogen and potassium, potassium and magnesium and nitrogen
magnesium in the substrate on the level of potassium in leaves of
lychees grovtfn in the field at Osprey, F lorida. Samples
taken in 195 8.
K - I = 0 .2 lbs. per tree
k - 2 = 0 .6 lbs. p e r tre e
K - 3 = 1.8 lbs. p e r tre e
?
C
5J
M g - 1 = 0 ,1
M g - 2 = 0 .3
lbs. p e r tree
lbs. p e r tre e
M g - 3 : 0 -9
lbs. p e r tre e
and
5
%
*o
.0 -
oi
a>
Q,
a.
>
a
<x>
0.5 -
c 0 .5 -
E
E
in
£
S.
0.4
0.8
1.6
Pounds N itro ge n p e r tre e per yeor
Fig. I I
0.2
Pounds
0.6
1.8
Potossium per tree per yeor
F ig . 12
0 .4
0.8
Pounds N itrogen
per tre e
Fig. 13
1.6
p e r year
Plate
V
Interaction of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium in substrate' on ttie level of potassium in
leaves of lychees grown in the fie ld at Osprey, Florida. Samples taken 1958.
0.80-1
0 . 00-1
K - 1 = 0 .2 lbs.
0.80-1
K - 2 = 0 . 5 lbs.
K -3 =
0.70-
1.8 lbs.
0 .7 0 -
0 .7 0 -
0 .6 0 -
0.6 0-
0 .5 0 -
0 .5 0 -
0.40-
0 .4 0
Ki
' 0 .6 0 -
£
0.50-
0.40-
0,1
0.3
0 .9
Pounds Magnesium per tree per year
0 .2
pounds Nitrogen
0.9
0.3
0.1
Pounds M agnesium per tree per year
0 .6 pounds Nitrogen
Fig
14
0.1
0 .3
Pounds Magnesium
per tree
0.9
per year
1.8 pounds Nitrogen
VjJ
38
Magnesium
Effects of all treatments on the magnesium content of tissue
from samples taken are shown in Table 19.
Analyses from leaf tissue
taken from the greenhouse-grown trees show that nitrogen and magnesium
had highly significant effects on the absorption and utilization of
magnesium by the plants.
Main effects and first order interaction be­
tween nitrogen and magnesium and potassium and magnesium are presented
in Tables 20 and 21 and can be seen graphically in Plate VI, Figs. 15
and l6.
Increasing magnesium in the nutrient solutions resulted in an
increase in the magnesium accumulated in the leaf tissue at all levels
of nitrogen.
As with potassium content increase in nitrogen in the
substrate from low to high and medium to high levels caused a decrease
in magnesium content in the leaf tissue.
There was no difference in
leaf magnesium resulting from an increase of nitrogen from N-1 to N-2
levels.
Plate VI, Fig. 15, shows the decrease in leaf magnesium with
increases of nitrogen in the supply from low to high at Mg-2 and Mg3 levels of magnesium.
At no level of magnesium did an increase of
nitrogen from low to medium result in a significant decrease of leaf
magnesium.
The interaction effect of potassium and magnesium on magnesium
storage in the tissue of the 1957 samples is considerably more variable
than interactions of nitrogen and magnesium (Table 21).
At the low
level of potassium increasing magnesium in the solution from low and
medium levels to Mg-3 level caused a significant increase in leaf mag­
nesium.
Magnesium increment from Mg-1 to Mg-2 levels at low potassium
39
did not result in a significant increase of magnesium in the tissue.
The varying levels of potassium in the substrate had no significant
effect on the magnesium content of leaf saiqples taken in 1957 at any
of the magnesium levels (Table 21).
TABLE 19
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
IN THE SUBSTRATE ON THE PER GENT MAGNESIUM IN THE
TISSUE OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND
......... CULTURE AND.IN THE.FIELD.
Treatment
No.
Per cent potassium on dry weight basis in
Leaf samples from
: Root samples from
Sand culture
Components Sand culture Sand culture Field :
N
K
Mg trees - 1957 trees - 1958 1958
trees - 1958
;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
.54
.62
.71
.48
.57
.64
.56
.60
.62
.58
.49
.63
.54
.59
.69
.49
.54
.58
.53
.46
.63
.57
.67
.48
.10
•43
.13
.45
.54
.43
.15
.05
.48
.65
.50
.43
.46
.48
.51
.54
.53
.64
.69
.60
.70
.49
,66
.81
.41
.43
.44
.30
.41
.59
.60
.40
.55
.41
.47
.31
.37
.45
.39
.32
.58
.41
.52
.48
.39
.53
.32
.57
.51
.40
.39
.44
.36
.47
.51
.36
.36
.46
.32
.42
.31
.07
.07
.02
.01
.02
.01
.03
.09
.005
.03
.05
.01
.03
.02
.01
.01
.01
.003
.04
.03
.01
.00
.02
40
TABLE 20
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT MAGNESIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND
CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1957)
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
Magnesium
K1-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
Levels
Mg-1,
8 ppm
Mg-2, 32 ppm
MR-3, 180 ppm
Nitrogen level means
.53
.60
.66
.59
.53
.54
.45
.48
.50
.54
.63
.57
.57
.50
.62
0.05
0.05
0.01
0.07
0.11
LSD
Between nitrogen and magnesium level means
Between means within table
0.09
TABLE 21
EFFECT OF POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT MAGNESIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN
SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1957)
Levels
Potassium Levels in Substrate
K--1, 8 ppm K-2, 32 ppm K-3, 180 ppm
Mg-1, 12 ppm
Mg-2, 24 ppm
Mg-3, 54 ppm
Potassium level means
.55
.52
.64
.57
.48
.56
.63
.55
LSD
Between potassium and magnesium level means
Between means within table
Magnesium
Level Means
.49
.54
.50
.59
.54
.62
0.05
0.05
0.09
.54
0.01
0.07
0.11
Analysis of tissue taken in 1958 from trees grown in sand cul­
ture show that potassium levels in the solution as well as nitrogen
and magnesium produced significant main effects on magnesium accumulation
in the leaves.
There was a highly significant positive correlation
between the amount of magnesium in the solution and the accumulation of
Plate
VI
Interaction of nitrogen and magnesium, nitrogen and potassium and potassium and magnesium in ttie
substrate on magnesium levels in leaf tissue of lycfiees grown in sand culture.
0 .8-1 Mg - 1= 12 ppm
0 .8 -I
M g - 2 = 2 4 ppm
M g - 2 = 2 4 ppm
M g-3 = 5 4
M g - 3 = 5 4 ppm
ppm
.0 .0,7 4
K - 2= 3 2 ppm
K - 3 = 1 8 0 ppm
0.7-
<u 0 . 6 -
tn 0.6 -
0.5 -
I
Mg;
mo.4-
O.0.5-
0.4
30
80
ppm N itro ge n in supply
1957
Fig. 15
210
8
I---
0.3
ppm Potassium in suppi,
80
ppm Nitrogen in supply
1 957
1958
32
Fig
16
180
30
Fig
17
210
fH
42
magnesium in the tissue, and a highly significant negative correlation
between the amounts of potassium and nitrogen in the solutions and the
magnesium content in the leaves.
As magnesium increased in the sub­
strate from treatments Mg-1, to Mg-2 to Mg-3 the mean magnesium level
in the leaves increased from 0.47, 0.48 to 0.59 per cent dry weight.
There was no significant difference between Mg-1 and Mg-2 levels, but
there was between Mg-1 and Mg-3 and Mg-2 and Mg-3 levels.
The main
effect for potassium and nitrogen are apparent in the potassium and
nitrogen level means columns of Table 22.
TABLE 22
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT MAGNESIUM IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND
CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
Potassium
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
.62
.66
.43
.56
.57
.58
.65
.42
.58
.37
.37
.39
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
.57
.53
.45
0.05
0.07
0.01
0.12
0.16
0.09
There was no significant interaction between potassium and
magnesium in the substrate on mangesium in leaves in samples taken in
1958 as there was in the 1957 samples, but there was a significant
nitrogen times potassium interaction (Plate VI, Fig. 17, and Table
22).
At the medium level of nitrogen increasing potassium from low
and medium to high levels decreased magnesium accumulation in the
leaves.
At low and intermediate potassium levels there was a
43
significant decrease in leaf magnesium only as nitrogen levels were
increased from low and medium to high.
Each increment of nitrogen in
the solution produced a significant decrease in leaf magnesium at the
high level of potassium.
Table 19 shows that roots from trees grown in sand culture pots
generally contained considerably less magnesium on a per cent dry weight
basis than did the leaves.
Magnesium content of fine roots was exceed­
ingly low regardless of treatments.
potassium.
This was also true in the case of
Data of Tables 23, 24 and 25, Plate VII, Fig. 19, and analy­
sis of variance tables 43, 44 and 45 in the Appendix show that all
variable elements in the solutions had greater interaction effects on
root accumulation of magnesium than was true in the case of the leaf
tissue.
All three nutrient variables produced a highly significant
effect on magnesium accumulation in the fine root samples taken in
1958.
As was true with the leaf tissue an increase of magnesium in
the substrate was accompanied by an increase in magnesium accumulation
within the roots, but to a lesser extent.
There was an inverse cor­
relation between nitrogen and potassium in the supply and magnesium
accumulation in the root tissue since magnesium accumulation decreased
in the tissue as these two elements increased in the solution.
Plate VII, Fig. 18, and Table 23 show the interaction of nitro­
gen and potassium on accumulation of magnesium in the root samples.
With the exception of high potassium increases in nitrogen resulted in
decreased magnesium content of the tissue at all other levels of potas­
sium.
An increase in nitrogen from low to medium at the high level of
potassium did not result in decreased magnesium content of the roots.
Plate
VII
Interaction of nitrogen ond potossium, nitrogen ond mognesium and potassium and magnesium
in the substrate on magnesium levels in feeder roots of lychees grown in sand
culture.
Sam ples token in 1 95 8
0.3-1
0 .3 -
Mg - 1= 12 ppm
K -2 =
3 2 ppm
K - 3 = 18 O p p m
O'
ID
O'
Mg - I = 12 ppm
M g - 2 = 2 4 ppm
M g - 2 = 2 4 ppm
M g -3 = 5 4 p p m
M g -3 =54ppm
Ï
5
i
0.2 -
0.2 -
-
0.2
--
0.1
Q
)
O.
o
o
c
.5 0. M
E
E
E
Wîj
Wîj
3
c
O'
O'
o
o
2
0-1—
30
80
ppm
(Jitrogen in s u p p ly
F ig. 18
210
Mg,
Mîi
30
210
80
ppm N itro g e n
Fig. 19
in supply
8
180
32
ppm
P o ta s s iu m
F ig 2 0
m sup ply
45
Magnesium levels in the fine roots were so low that the accuracy of the
analytical procedures used are questionable.
TABLE 23
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT MAGNESIUM IN ROOTS OF LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND
CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
Potassium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
.13
.05
.06
.02
.03
.02
.07
.03
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
.01
.02
.01
.01
.06
0.05
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.02
.04
.02
TABLE 24
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT MAGNESIUPI IN ABSORBING ROOTS OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Levels
Mg-1, 12
Mg-2, 24
Mg-3, 54
Nitrogen
Magnesium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
.06
.07
.08
.07
.01
.01
.03
.06
.02
.02
.01
.03
LSD
Between nitrogen and magnesium level means
Between means within table
0.05
0.01
0.02
.02
.04
.05
0.01
0.01
0.02
Increasing nitrogen from N-1 to N-2 caused a significant re­
duction in magnesium content of the roots at all levels of magnesium
(Table 24, Plate VII, Fig. 19), but the second increment of supply
46
nitrogen caused no significant reduction in root magnesium at the low
and medium magnesium levels, but did at the high level of magnesium.
TABLE 25
INTERACTION BETWEEN POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE
ON THE PER CENT MAGNESIUM IN THE ABSORBING ROOTS OF
LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Levels
Magnesium
Potassium Levels in Substrate
K--1, 8 ppm K-2, 32 ppm K-3, 180 ppm Level Means
Mg-1, 12 ppm
Mg-2, 24 ppm
Mg-3, 54 ppm
Potassium level means
.04
.06
.08
.02
.04
.05
.01
.01
.02
.06
.04
.02
LSD
Between magnesium and potassium level means
Between means within table
0.05
0.01
0.02
.02
.04
.05
0.01
0.01
0.02
At all levels of magnesium increments of potassium in the solu­
tions caused a significant reduction of magnesium in the root tissue,
but the greatest depressive effect due to potassium increase from
medium to high occurred at the medium magnesium supply level (Table 25).
None of the treatments in the field plots had any statistically
significant effect on accumulation of magnesium in the leaf tissue.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus was not a variable element of this experiment, but
was constantly supplied in the culture solution at the rate of 10 parts
per million and in the field at the rate of 0.62 pound per tree per
year.
Previous research on many other crops has established some evi­
dence that varying nitrogen, potassium and magnesium in the substrate
affects absorption and accumulation of phosphorus in plant tissue.
47
For this reason analyses for phosphorus was included in this experi­
ment.
The effects of all treatments on the phosphorus content of tis­
sue from samples taken are shown in Table 26.
There was a positive
correlation between the amount of nitrogen and potassium in the sub­
strate and accumulation of phosphorus in leaves harvested in 1957 from
trees grown in sand culture.
The phosphorus level means in the leaves
increased from 0.27 to 0.30 and 0.36 as the supply nitrogen levels in­
creased from low to medium and high and from 0.28 to 0.29 and 0.35 as
the mean potassium levels increased from low to medium to high.
There
was no significant effect from the first increment of nitrogen or
potassium on leaf phosphorus, but the second increment in both instances
significantly increased leaf phosphorus content.
The interaction between potassium and magnesium on phosphorus
content of the leaves differed with the different levels of magnesium
(Table 27 and Plate VIII, Fig. 21).
Increasing potassium in the sub­
strate from low and medium to high resulted in a significant increase
in phosphorus accumulation at the medium magnesium level only.
Potas­
sium supply increments had no significant effect on leaf phosphorus
content at the low or high levels of magnesium.
Leaf samples taken from the greenhouse-grown trees in 1958
upon analysis showed the same positive correlation between the amount
of nitrogen and potassium in the substrate and the leaf accumulation
of phosphorus as occurred in 1957 samples.
This can be seen in Table
28 and graphically in Plate VIII, Fig. 22.
Unlike the 1957 results,
however, there was no interaction effect between potassium and magnesium.
48
but there was a significant interaction between nitrogen and potassium
in the supply and leaf phosphorus content.
Increasing the supply of
nitrogen generally increased leaf phosphorus at low and medium levels
of potassium, but there was no significant increase in leaf phosphorus
due to increase nitrogen levels at the high magnesium level.
TABLE 26
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER CENT PHOSPHORUS IN THE TISSUE OF
LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE AND IN THE FIELD
Treatment
No.
;________ Per cent phosphorus on dry weight basis in
Leaf samples from
Root samples from
Components:Sand culture Sand culture Field trees
Sand culture
N
K
Mg:trees - 1957 trees - 1958
1958
trees - 1958
1.
2.
3.
4*
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
.22
.27
.23
.24
.34
.24
.30
.37
1.52
1.14
1.36
1.40
.26
2.28
1.73
.32
.23
.30
.30
.28
.31
.30
.30
.35
.37
.26
.34
.28
.31
.36
.38
.60
.32
1.85
1.59
2.51
2.53
1.00
1.02
.89
1.21
.88
1.23
1.02
1.19
1.01
1.54
.41
.40
.46
1.44
.71
.57
.57
.73
.75
.69
.39
.53
.42
.47
.58
.60
2.19
1.07
.50
1.93
.63
.53
1.75
2.34
.63
.68
2.16
1.01
.67
.85
2.17
.70
1.88
2.10
.81
2.62
.48
.58
1.12
1.01
.80
2.28
1.94
1.92
2.56
2.57
2.58
.74
.73
.99
.56
.55
.57
.44
.50
.61
.70
.56
.41
.51
.46
Plate
VI I I
Interaction of potassium and magnesium and nitrogen ond potassium in the substrate on
phosphorus levels in leaf and feeder root tissue of lychees grown in sand culture.
0.6 T
0 .7 n
Mg - I = 12 ppm
M g - 2 = 2 4 ppm
M g - 3 = 5 4 ppm
5.0 -,
K - 2= 3 2 ppm
K - 3 = 1 8 0 ppm
®
0 .6 -
I
-o
0 .5 .Mg,
2
o
XI
" 0.4
0 3
Q.
1.0
0.3
0.2
8
32
ppm Potassium in supply
1957
Fig. 21
180
30
SO
210
30
80
ppm Nitrogen in supply
ppm Nitrogen in supply
1958
1958
Fig. 2 2
Fig 2 3
210
fsO
50
TABLE 27
INTERACTION OF POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON
PER CENT PHOSPHORUS IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1957)
Levels
Potassium Levels in Substrate
K-1, 8 ppm K-2, 32 ppm K-3, 180 ppm
Mg-1, 12 ppm
Mg-2, 24 ppm
Mg-3, 54 ppm
Potassium level means
Magnesium
Level Means
.30
.25
.29
.27
.31
.33
.42
.30
.31
.33
.30
.28
.29
.35
.30
0.05
0.05
0.01
0.08
0.10
LSD
Between magnesium and potassium level means
Between means within table
.30
0.06
TABLE 28
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN TEE SUBSTRATE ON
PER CENT PHOSPHORUS IN LEAVES OF LYCHEES GROWN IN
SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
Potassium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
N-1, 30 ppm N--2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
.34
.40
.61
.39
.49
.56
.45
.48
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
.55
.51
.64
.57
.43
0.05
0.05
0.01
0.06
0.11
0.08
.47
.60
The fine root tissue analysis data show that all elements varied
in the substrate-nitrogen, potassium and magnesium-significantly affected
the accumulation of phosphorus in the tissue.
The main effects of
nitrogen and potassium and the interaction of these two elements on
phosphorus storage in the fine roots are presented in Table 29, and
51
Plate VIII, Fig. 23, and the interaction between nitrogen and potassium
in the substrate and their effect on phosphorus accumulation in the
absorbing roots are shown in Plate VIII, Fig. 23, and Table 29.
Dif­
ferences in phosphorus levels in the fine roots were minute regard­
less of treatment.
Such a condition produces statistical significance
with extremely small variations in tissue content of phosphorus.
Sta­
tistical significance, however, does not necessarily indicate or imply
biological significance, and in this case biological significance is
hardly indicated by the data.
TABLE 29
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER
CENT PHOSPHORUS IN ABSORBING ROOTS OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE (GREENHOUSE, 1958)
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3, 180
Nitrogen
Potassium
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 60 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
.15
.18
.11
.15
.14
.14
,15
.14
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
.13
.16
.12
.13
.14
.16
.13
0.05
0.005
0.03
0.01
0.006
0.04
Phosphorus accumulation in leaf samples taken from the field
in 1958 was affected significantly by the nitrogen applied to the soil
and significantly by potassium applications.
occurred.
No interaction effects
As nitrogen application increased from 0,4 to 0.8 pounds a
tree per year, mean phosphorus leaf content decreased from 0.26 to
0.17, but the additional increase of nitrogen application to 1.6 pounds
had no additional significant effect.
Potassium levels had
52
approximately the opposite effect*
As potassium application was in­
creased from 0.2 to 0.6 pounds to the soil mean leaf phosphorus
increased from 0.17 to 0.24, but additional increase in potassium had
no significant effect.
Calcium
Like phosphorus, calcium was not one of the variable elements
of the experiment.
Calcium did vary from 160 ppm to 180 ppm in the
culture solution because of the chemicals which had to be used in
varying nitrogen, potassium and magnesium.
Calcium was supplied at
160 ppm in all test solutions except those containing the high nitro­
gen.
Those nine treatments were supplied with 180 ppm calcium.
No
form of calcium was supplied to field plots since soil analyses indi­
cated an ample supply within the soil (results of soils analyses are
given in Table 55 of the Appendix).
It should be pointed out, however,
that superphosphate used in the field plots for the phosphorus supply
did contain calcium, but this was supplied at a constant rate to all
experimental trees.
Although calcium was not a planned variable, the
data show that the other variable elements did have a small effect on
calcium accumulation within the leaf samples taken from the trees
grown in sand culture.
The effect of all treatments on the accumula­
tion of calcium in the tissue of samples taken is shown in Table 30.
Analyses of samples taken in 1957 from the trees grown in sand
culture show that only nitrogen had a significant effect on calcium
accumulation within the tissue.
As nitrogen was increased from 30 to
80 to 210 ppm in the solution mean leaf calcium dropped from I .30 to
1.29 to 1.11 per cent on a dry weight basis.
53
TABLE 30
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER GENT CALCIUM IN THE TISSUE OF
LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE AND IN THE FIELD
No.
Per cent calcium on dry weight basis in
:
Root samples from
Leaf samples from
Components:Sand culture Sand culture Field trees Sand culture
N
K
trees - 1958
Mgitrees - 1957 trees - 1958
1958
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Treatments
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1.30
1.24
1.31
1.35
1.30
1.19
1.50
1.26
1.73
1.20
.43
1.08
1.21
.75
.40
.43
.43
.43
1.38
.99
1.14
1.00
1.03
1.26
.96
1.43
1.87
1.22
1.10
1.37
1.39
1.22
1.24
1.07
1.46
1.34
1.30
1.27
1.20
1.22
1.26
1.06
1.12
.73
.50
.52
.61
.84
.83
.95
.72
1.11
1.08
.81
1.07
1.17
1.14
.88
.84
1.17
.71
.99
.96
.70
.97
.98
1.00
.42
1.10
.81
1.02
.79
1.07
.88
.82
.84
.77
.90
.72
.73
.98
.47
.80
.61
.51
.55
.41
.52
.42
.41
.41
.41
.43
.43
.46
.43
.43
.47
.39
.41
.36
.39
.41
.43
.40
.45
.40
.36
By 1958 both nitrogen and potassium in the solutions had pro­
duced an inverse effect on calcium accumulation in the leaf tissue of
the trees grown in sand culture.
With increments of nitrogen from low
to medium to high levels leaf calcium mean content decreased from I.17,
to 1.10 to 0.69 per cent on a dry weight basis.
As potassium in the
solution was increased from 8 to 32 to 180 ppm mean calcium content
54
of the leaves decreased from 1.16 to 1.08 to 0.72 per cent on a dry
weight basis.
Analysis of fine root sanples taken from the sand culture trees
in 1958 and of leaves taken the same year from trees in the field plots
show that none of the variable treatments had any significant effect on
the absorption and accumulation of calcium in the tissue of those plants.
Sodium
The sodium content of the tissue sampled at the various treat­
ment levels is given in Table 31.
As was true with phosphorus and
calcium, sodium was not a variable element in the experiment.
None of
the treatments had any significant effect on the accumulation of
sodium in any of the tissues analyzed.
GROWTH RESPONSES IN RELATION TO NUTRIENT SUPPLY
The wide differences in the three levels of nitrogen and potas­
sium applied to the trees growing in sand culture in the greenhouses
produced highly significant differences in the growth responses meas­
ured, whereas growth response to magnesium variability was not statisti­
cally significant in any of the data taken.
Circumference measurements from field plot trees were converted
to cross-sectional area and recorded in square tenths of inches.
This
showed that field treatments had not produced significant differences
in the cross-sectional increase of tree trunks by the last sampling
date.
Trends were becoming apparent in some instances and these trends
will be discussed later.
55
TABLE 31
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM
IN THE SUBSTRATE ON PER CENT SODIUM IN THE TISSUE OF
LYCHEES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE AND IN THE FIELD
No.
;______ Per cent sodium on dry weight basis in_______
:____ Leaf samples from________ Root samples from____
Components:Sand culture Sand culture Field trees
Sand culture
N
K
Mgttrees - 1957 trees - 1958
1958
trees - 1958
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26 .
27.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Treatments
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
.19
.21
.19
.20
.19
.19
.20
.19
.20
.21
.19
.19
.21
.20
.19
.19
.19
.20
.21
.20
.20
.19
.18
.20
.19
.20
.20
.09
.11
.09
.14
.11
.09
.11
.14
.17
.14
.11
.07
.12
.]A
.12
.12
.15
.14
.10
.12
.10
.09
.09
.12
.08
.09
.09
.16
.12
.14
.17
.19
.16
.18
.18
.16
.15
.11
.14
.18
.15
.13
.15
.18
.16
.18
.15
.15
.15
.15
.15
.11
.15
.16
.10
.10
.10
.09
.09
.09
.08
.08
.08
.08
.10
.08
.08
.08
.07
.07
.09
.08
.08
.08
.08
.06
.10
.08
.08
.08
.07
Canopy Growth
Canopy growth in the data is recorded as the average in milli­
meters of canopy height and canopy diameter at the widest point,
meas­
urements were made May 29 and October 31, 1957, and March 11, 1958.
The difference between the first and last measurements taken constituted
56
the total canopy growth.
The effect of all treatments on canopy
measurements can be seen in Table 32.
TABLE 32
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF NITROGEN, POTASSIUM AND
MAGNESIUI4 ON GROWTH MEASUREMENTS OF LYCHEES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE AND IN THE FIELD
Treatment
No.
Sand Culture
:Canopy increase in Cross-sectional
Components;millimeters - avg.
increase in
N
K
Mg:of dia. and height
millimeters
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24 .
25 .
26.
27 .
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
34.75
Field Plots
Cross-sectional
increase in sq.
tenths of inches
60.95
78,82
3.86
2.46
96.20
2.80
1.70
2.83
1.53
40.87
39.87
33.12
31.75
110,02
37.12
15.0
20.25
19.12
26.12
33.50
4.87
1.66
50.15
3.40
2.13
2.56
35.12
30.62
25.75
31.50
23.12
41.45
99.27
9.42
44.60
38.80
33.62
32.17
34.55
29.70
3.06
3.83
1.90
1.23
1.36
18.37
8.75
17.87
20.95
3.10
4.06
10.17
2.06
16.15
2.03
15.25
20.50
2.00
2.10
7.92
1.43
20.00
29.87
21.0
5.55
2.53
1.80
28.37
19.50
3.55
3.06
1.40
10.12
9.87
2.85
1.10
2.52
1.56
7.55
9.42
There was a highly significant inverse correlation between the
amounts of nitrogen and potassium supplied in solutions and the extent
of canopy growth of trees grown in the greenhouse in sand culture.
Nitrogen supplied at 30 ppm resulted in a mean canopy measurement of
57
30.2 millimeters, whereas when nitrogen was supplied at 80 and 210 ppm
mean canopy measurements were 25*9 and 18.2 millimeters, respectively.
Approximately the same relationship held for potassium in its effect on
canopy growth.
When potassium was supplied at 8 ppm mean canopy meas­
urement was 29*3 millimeters.
Increasing potassium to 32 and 180 ppm
resulted in mean canopy measurements of 28.9 and 16.0 millimeters,
r espectively.
Even though the low nitrogen treatments produced the largest
canopy growth there was some visual sysmptoms of nitrogen deficiency
under N— 1 l e v e l s , particularly under the low nitrogen—low potassium
combination.
The symptoms included a general chlorosis of the older
leaves followed b y abscission of these leaves.
Caliper Growth
Caliper measurements of trees grown in sand culture were taken
at predetermined locations on the tree trunks approximately four inches
above the soil line on Ma y 29, 1957> and March 11, 1958, and were re­
corded in millimeters.
shown in Table 32.
Treatment effects on caliper increase are
As with canopy growth, nitrogen and potassium in
the nutrient solutions had a highly significant negative correlation
on caliper increments.
This effect can be seen in Table 33.
When
nitrogen was supplied to the trees at the rate of 30 , 80 and 210 ppm,
m e a n caliper measurements were 61.24, 28.01 and 8.71 millimeters
respectively.
Potassium levels in supply of 8, 32 and 180 ppm re­
sulted in mean caliper measurements of 42.12, 43*39 and 12.45 milli­
meters respectively.
58
TABLE 33
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND POTASSIUM ON INCREASE IN
CALIPER GROWTH IN MILLIMETERS OF LICHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
Potassium
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
ppm
78.66
39.00
42.12
8.69
ppm
83.58
32.14
34.45
43.39
2.98
21.48
12.89
ppm
12.45
8.71
level means 61.24
28.01
Levels
K-1,
8
K-2, 32
K-3. 180
Nitrogen
LSD
Between nitrogen and potassium level means
Between means within table
0.01
16.16
27.86
0.05
12.17
20.98
There was a highly significant interaction of nitrogen and
potassium and a significant interaction of nitrogen and magnesium in
the substrate on the increase in caliper measurements.
These inter­
actions can be noted in Tables 33 and 34 and seen graphically in
Plate IX, Figs. 24 and 25.
At the low level of nitrogen in supply,
caliper increase was the greatest at the medium level of potassium,
followed by low and then high levels of potassium.
There was no
significant difference in caliper measurements between low and medium
potassium levels, but a highly significant suppression of caliper
increment resulting from tlie high level of potassium.
When nitrogen
was supplied at the medium level there was a decrease in caliper in­
crease between low and high potassium levels in supply.
When nitrogen
was supplied at the rate of 210 ppm, the three levels of potassium did
not result in significant differences in caliper growth.
The interaction of nitrogen and magnesium on caliper measure­
ments of the trees grown in sand culture was significant as shown by
Plate
IX
59
Interaction of nitrogen and potassium and nitrogen and magnesium on caliper
increments over a 10 montti period of lychee trees grown in sand culture.
100-I
100-1
K- i =
K- 2=
8 ppm
i2
ppm
Mg - 2 = 2 4
K - 3 = 18 0 ppm
90-
E
80-
80-
70-
70-
60-
60-
50-
50-
40-
40-
30-
30-
ppm
Mg - 3 = 5 4 ppm
E
c
,
I
o
\ Mg.
20-
20Mg
10-
30
10-
80
ppm Nitrogen in supply
F ig 2 4
I
210
30
80
ppm
Nitrogen in lu p p ly
Fig, 2 5
:210
60
the Analysis of Variance Table 54 in the Appendix.
The interaction is
presented in Table 34 and shown on Plate IX, Fig. 25.
Magnesium sup­
plied to the nutrient solution at the highest level resulted in the
largest caliper increments when nitrogen was supplied at the low level,
followed by medium and high levels.
There was a highly significant
variation in caliper measurement at each level of magnesium and at the
low level of nitrogen.
At the medium and high levels of nitrogen
there was no significant difference in caliper measurements due to
variations of magnesium.
TABLE 34
INTERACTION OF NITROGEN AND MAGNESIUM ON INCREASE IN
CALIPER GROWTH IN MILLIMETERS OF LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Levels
Mg-1, 12
Mg-2, 24
Mg-3. 54
Nitrogen
ppm
ppm
ppm
level means
Nitrogen Levels in Substrate
Magnesium
N-1, 30 ppm N-2, 80 ppm N-3, 210 ppm Level Means
60.1
41.71
81.88
61.24
28.11
31.43
24.50
28.01
LSD
Between nitrogen and magnesium level means
Between means within table
8.42
4.80
12.99
8.71
32.22
25.97
39.77
0.05
12.1?
20.98
0.01
16.16
27.86
As mentioned earlier the cross-sectional increase in trees from
the field plots was not significantly effected by the variable treat­
ments.
A trend apparently was becoming established according to the
data, and it would seem possible that within another year significant
variations due to treatment would occur.
From the data the trend
appears to follow the same pattern as existed for the growth measure­
ments of the sand culture trees, that is, as nitrogen and potassium
61
supplied to the substrate increased, cross-sectional area decreased in
growth rate.
Figures 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 show the effects of some of the
treatments on growth responses and indicate the severity of nutritional
stresses that occurred.
Figures 26 and 27 indicate the growth rate
obtained at the low nitrogen treatments.
The tree in Fig. 26 received
low nitrogen and potassium and medium magnesium levels in the solutions.
The tree in Fig. 27 received low nitrogen and magnesium and medium
potassium.
These two treatments generally appeared to give the best
results of all the nine low nitrogen treatments.
The tree in Fig. 28
received medium nitrogen and magnesium and high potassium.
Note the
sparser foliage as compared with trees in the low nitrogen plots.
It is also possible to note the tip and marginal necrosis toward the
apical ends of the leaflets.
High nitrogen and low potassium and
magnesium (Fig. 29) resulted in severe leaf drop, marginal scorching
of the leaflets and general debilitation of the tree.
This condition
was further exaggerated by high levels of all elements (Fig. 30).
Three patterns of leaf necrosis developed in the sand culture
trees, but it was difficult to correlate specific patterns with specific
treatments.
Generally leaves on trees from treatments one through six
had narrow, irregular bands of dark reddish-brown areas along the mar­
gins extending from the tip to about the mid-point of the leaflets.
These treatments contained low nitrogen, low and medium levels of
potassium and all three levels of magnesium.
Leaves from trees grown
in solution treatments 10-15 and 19-24 were characterized by necrotic
tips of the leaflets.
The necrosis often extended 20 to 28 millimeters
Fig. 26.— This lychee tree received 30 ppm N,
8 ppm K and 24 ppm.Mg for 11 months.
62
63
m
Fig. 27»— Layered lychee 11 months following
initiation of treatment. Plant received 30 ppm N,
32 ppm K and 12 ppm Mg,
64
65
Fig. 28.— Lychee tree after 11 months treat­
ment receiving 80 ppm N, 18 ppm K and 24 ppm Mg.
66
67
Fig. 29 .— Lychee tree which received 210 ppm
N, 8 ppm K and 12 ppm Mg. Note sparse foliage and
necrotic-tipped leaves.
68
69
Fig. 30,— Layered lychee which had received
210 ppm N, 180 ppm K and 54 ppm Mg for 11 months
70
71
y
f
72
back from the tip.
These treatments contained medium and high levels
of nitrogen, low and medium levels of potassium and all three levels
of magnesium.
Treatments 7-9» 16-18 and 25-27 produced trees with
leaves having severe tip and marginal necrosis.
The necrotic areas
were ”?”-shaped, extending from the tip along the margin until about
three-fourths of the marginal area of each leaflet was included.
The
irregular marginal necrotic band was often 15 millimeters wide.
This
pattern was characteristic of all high potassium level treatments and
was not apparently affected by levels of nitrogen and magnesium.
DISCUSSION
The data from this experiment clearly showed that as nitrogen,
potassium and magnesium were increased in the substrate, the percent­
ages of those elements within the tissue analyzed also increased.
The
only exception to this generalization in the data presented was in the
case of magnesium in the leaf tissue taken from the field plots in
195s.
Although a trend is apparent (Table 19), indicating that as
magnesium in the soil increased, magnesium in the leaf tissue also
increased, the relationship had not reached statistical significance
at the time of sampling.
This high positive correlation between the
amount of an ion in the substrate and the content of that element
within the tissue of plants growing thereon is not surprising since
considerable research by Smith et
(44)» Hilgeman, Smith and
Draper (22), Wallace (49), Ulrich (47), and many others has repeatedly
shown this correlation.
This can be readily explained on the basis
of mass action, in that the larger the amount of a particular ion
surrounding the absorbing roots of a plant, the greater the chance
of those ions being absorbed by the roots.
As previously stated increasing nitrogen in the substrate re­
sulted in increased nitrogen in leaves of greenhouse-grown and fieldgrown trees and in the fibrous roots of trees grown in sand culture.
The only other variable element affecting nitrogen absorption was
potassium.
As potassium increased in the solution, nitrogen content
of the leaves on the sand cultured trees increased.
73
Applied potassium,
74
however, had no effect on the nitrogen content in the fine roots of
trees grown in sand culture or leaves of the field trees.
Unfortunately, optimum, minimum and luxury consumption levels
of the various nutrients in tissues of lychees for maximum growth
and production have not been determined as has been done for many
crops, thus hindering to some extent the evaluation and interpretation
of data from this experiment.
Tissue content of nitrogen in trees
grown in sand culture was probably at or approaching deficiency levels
at the low nitrogen treatments, especially at low nitrogen-low potas­
sium treatments.
Reuther and Smith (39) report that nitrogen defi­
ciency synptoms appear in citrus trees if leaf content of nitrogen
drops below 2 per cent on a dry-weight basis.
Below the 2 per cent
level of nitrogen has also been listed as the visual deficiency
range for walnuts and pecans, and 1.6 to 1.9 per cent nitrogen in the
leaf content of apples is considered deficient (40).
Nitrogen in the
leaves from trees grown in the greenhouse under low nitrogen treatments
ranged from 1.69 to 2.38 per cent of dry weight, with the higher amount
occurring at high potassium levels.
Visual symptoms of nitrogen defi­
ciency were indicated on trees grown under the low nitrogen treatments,
since the older leaves became generally chlorotic and abscissed.
As
nitrogen was increased in the substrate to N-2 and N-3 levels, the
nitrogen content of leaves from trees grown in sand culture was above
the 2.3 per cent level in all instances.
Nitrogen stress was indi­
cated from the data in all the field trees, since leaf nitrogen
content varied from a low of 1,17 per cent to a high of 1.51 per cent
on a dry weight basis (Table 5).
75
As potassium increased in the solution, nitrogen content of
the leaves on sand cultured trees increased, but there was no signifi­
cant change in the nitrogen content of the feeder roots.
As nitrogen levels in the substrate increased, there was only
a slight depressive effect on the potassium content of leaves, but
there was a highly significant inverse effect on potassium in the fine
roots (Tables 10, 11, 12 and 14).
This fact is probably responsible
in part for the highly significant decrease in growth rates— both
canopy and caliper— resulting from increases in nitrogen levels in the
substrate.
Apparently potassium levels in the root system was at or
approaching deficiency levels even for low nitrogen levels.
As nitro­
gen supply increased, having a depressive effect on potassium uptake,
potassium deficiency became progressively more severe in the root
system and reduction in growth rate occurred.
The fact that increases in nitrogen supplied drastically re­
duced growth rate, as indicated by the data (Tables 33 and 34), was
unexpected and surprising in view of considerable research accomplished
on other crops.
To further explain this phenomenon, the data in Table
24 help to give an answer.
Magnesium content of the fine roots was
exceedingly low at all levels of nitrogen, magnesium and potassium
supplied.
As nitrogen in the substrate increased, root magnesium was
significantly depressed to the point that at high nitrogen levels
magnesium in the fibrous roots was almost negligible.
The combined
increase in the deficiency of both potassium and magnesium as nitrogen
in the supply increased probably reduced the absorptive activity of
the root system to the point that serious water stress resulted in the
76
trees and growth rate was sharply curtailed.
A comparison of data presented in Tables 13 and 14 and Tables
20-25 fail to indicate either a positive or negative correlation be­
tween the amount of potassium and magnesium in the fibrous roots and
the quantity of these elements in the leaves.
This lack of apparent
correlation between the percentage of potassium and magnesium, be­
tween the root and leaf tissue, however, does not necessarily imply
that the various rates of nitrogen applied did not have an effect on
the translocation and distribution of these elements within the plants.
Increasing nitrogen in the substrate significantly decreased
magnesium accumulation in the leaves of trees grown in sand culture,
particularly in the samples taken in 1958 (Table 22).
This is in
opposition to the effects of nitrogen on magnesium absorption recorded
by Lundegardh (2?), Nightingale (33), Reuther et
(14), Weeks et _y.. (51) and others.
(38), CuUinan
The most probable
explanation
for this is the fact that nitrogen was varied over a wide range in
comparison to magnesium, and at the higher nitrogen levels mass action
effect resulted in suppression of magnesium absorption.
Had magnesium
been supplied at higher rates or nitrogen at lower rates, the situation
could have been reversed.
Varying nitrogen in the substrate had no effect on calcium and
sodium content of the tissue and only slight effect on phosphorus con­
tent of the 1958 leaf samples from trees grown in pot culture.
In this
one instance increasing nitrogen increased phosphorus content of leaves,
but the increase was probably not of biological significance.
77
Magnesium at the levels supplied had only v e r y slight effects
o n the content of potassium in the leaves of lychees grown in the
greenhouse or in the field.
There was some indication (Table 12) that
under low nitrogen—low potassium treatments, increasing magnesium re ­
sulted in decreased potassium content within leaves of lychees grown
in sand culture.
In these low potassium treatments there was appar­
ently a potassium deficiency conditon.
The ionic antagonistic effects
between potassium and magnesium in plant nutrition has been well
established in the literature.
Most researchers also concede that
rates of potassium fertilization affect magnesium content of tissue
to a greater degree than the reverse situation.
Data from this
experiment are in agreement with these findings, as will be noted
later in the discussion.
General deficiency of potassium in the field trees seems pos­
sible from the data in Table 15.
Such deficiency helps to explain
the slight response to treatments exhibited b y the field plots.
Until
potassium deficiency is corrected, the ability of the trees to respond
t o application of other elements will be minimized.
This is in agree­
ment with Liebig’s Law of the Minimum which states that plant growth
is directly proportional to the supply of the nutrient which is in
minimum and to Mitscherlich’s concept of the same law stating that the
increase in yield per unit of limiting nutrient applied is directly
proportional to the decrement from the maximum yield.
The field phase
of this experiment will be continued and potassium applications in­
creased in an effort to maximize treatment effects in the future.
78
To fully understand the effect of potassium on nitrogen accumu­
lation, it would be necessary to know more fully the role of potassium
in plant physiology.
The exact role of this element in plant nutrition
continues to elude research workers, probably because of its extreme
mobility within the plant.
Although many research workers disagree.
Nightingale (32) states that not only is potassium necessary for
nitrate absorption but directly or indirectly potassium is essential
for reduction of nitrates and probably for later stages of protein
synthesis.
Since potassium is a cation and most of the nitrogen was
supplied in anion form, it could be possible that potassium exerted
an ionic synergistic effect on nitrogen absorption.
This doesn*t
seem too probable, inasmuch as the effect is unilateral, for increas­
ing nitrogen decreased potassium content of the leaves.
The most
probable reason for the positive correlation between potassium in the
substrate and nitrogen content of the leaves can be found in Table I4 .
From the data presented therein, it appears that potassium was at
deficient levels in the fine root systems of the sand cultured trees.
Reuther and Smith (39) and other writers report that potassium affects
the hydration of the tissue, with greater hydration occurring at higher
levels of potassium.
Thus any increase in potassium would help alle­
viate the potassium deficiency condition of the root system, allowing
for greater absorption of water and concurrently of some nutrients
including nitrates.
Increasing potassium levels in the supply, in addition to the
effects on tissue content of nitrogen and potassium already discussed,
resulted in decreased magnesium levels in leaf and root tissue taken
79.
from greenhouse-grown trees in 1958 (Tables 22 and 23).
In view of
the low levels of magnesium in the fibrous root tissue, the depressive
effect of potassium in the supply undoubtedly resulted in growth re­
duction.
Data in the tables indicate that potassium was a stronger
antagonist to magnesium absorption than magnesium Was to potassium
absorption.
The depressive effect of potassium on magnesium uptake
is the result of ionic antagonism.
As potassium increased in the substrate there was a highly
significant decrease in growth rate, probably due to the deficiency
of magnesium in the root system of the greenhouse trees and the fact
that increasing potassium aggravated magnesium deficient conditions,
further restricting growth.
The various levels of magnesium had no effect on the tissue
content of the other elements supplied nor on the growth rate of the
trees except in the case of low nitrogen.
At low nitrogen rates, in­
creasing supplies of magnesium increased caliper growth of the trees
grown in sand culture, indicating magnesium deficiency even at the
low nitrogen supply.
At higher levels of nitrogen, however, increas­
ing magnesium had no effect, probably because the increases were not
sufficiently large enough to have an effect at the concentration of
nitrogen supplied.
The slight effect of magnesium on growth and
chemical composition of plants has been reported for citrus by
Reuther et
Gain (8),
(36), for tung by Shear et
Smith et
(50) and for apples by
(44) stated that magnesium supplied beyond the
amount necessary to prevent visible deficiency symptom expression had
no virtue insofar as yield and fruit quality of citrus were concerned.
80
Magnesium did not exhibit a more pronounced antagonistic
effect on calcium and potassium probably because of the levels of the
various elements supplied to the substrate.
Lundgardh (2?) and Arnon
et al. (4) point out that the antagonistic effect of magnesium on
potassium and calcium is less than the reciprocal antagonisms of these
elements, at least at certain relative concentrations, and that mag­
nesium has its most depressive effects at low levels of either potas­
sium or calcium.
In this experiment apparently the levels of potassium
and calcium were not sufficiently low or magnesium sufficiently high
for magnesium to significantly suppress potassium and calcium accumula­
tion.
The reason for the extremely minute quantities of magnesium in
the fibrous roots of the sand cultured trees, although there was ap­
parently a sufficiency of this element in the leaves, cannot be
satisfactorily explained from the data of this experiment.
The mag­
nesium levels supplied were apparently at the deficiency or incipient
deficiency range even at the low nitrogen levels, as had been mentioned.
At the higher nitrogen levels the amount of magnesium supplied would
be expected to be more inadequate.
Under ,such conditions of magnesium
insufficiency and at the nitrogen levels provided apparently there was
some factor causing the translocation of magnesium to the leaves at the
expense of the root system.
Large increases of the elements in the solution resulted in
relatively small increases of the elements within the tissue.
Con­
sidering leaf tissue taken in 1958 from trees grown in sand culture
a 700 per cent increase in nitrogen in the solutions resulted in only
81
a 165 per cent increase in leaf nitrogen, increasing potassium 2,250
per cent in the substrate only increased leaf potassium by 200 per cent,
and a 450 per cent increase in supply magnesium produced only a 125 per
cent increase in leaf magnesium on an average.
Perhaps changing the
nutrient solutions more often would have produced less spread between
the amount of material supplied and the amount accumulated in the tis­
sue.
However, Smith et
(44) in similar work with citrus trees on
which fresh nutrient solutions were applied much more frequently
reported that even the most sensitive organ of citrus plants showed
relatively small changes in proportion to the large differences in
treatments.
A 6OO per cent increase in supplied nitrogen brought
only a 33 per cent increase in the leaf concentration of this element.
A 22-fold increase in supplied potassium about doubled the concentra­
tion of this element in the leaf.
Certainly if potassium and mag­
nesium were deficient in roots of the lychees, as indicated from the
data, the plants absorptive efficiency would be highly curtailed and
there would necessarily be a relatively small change in the tissue
concentration of various elements in proportion to large differences
in treatments.
Table 56 of the Appendix gives pH readings of the solutions
taken July 31, 1957.
The pH readings varied from a low of 3 . 8 to a
high of 6.8, but were predominantly low.
Any attempt to buffer the
solutions against pH changes would have added contaminating cations
to the solutions.
Arnon (4), working with several plants in solution
culture, stated that throughout the range of pH values from 4-9,
plant growth was not greatly affected by the pH of the solution.
82
Certainly the wide variations of pH within the culture solutions could
have had a definite effect on the results obtained.
Data taken from this experiment do not provide logical explana­
tions for the many interaction effects recorded in the results.
The
lack of an explanation for the interactions obtained does not indicate
that such effects are unimportant, but does indicate a need for more
information on the physiological and biochemical role of the various
elements in plant metabolism.
Subsequent experiments resulting from
this work should be designed, if possible, to produce information on
the causes of interactions resulting from varying amounts and ratios
of nutritional elements provided.
The exceedingly low quantities of potassium and magnesium,
especially mangesium, in the fibrous root system even when the leaf
content of these elements appeared at sufficient levels and the de­
pressive effect of nitrogen on the root content of these elements
apparently were key factors in the vegetative growth responses ob­
tained with increases in nitrogen supply.
Certainly further experi­
mentation along similar lines should be established to study the
translocation factors apparently operative which caused this phenome­
non— the wide variation between amount of magnesium and potassium in
the leaf and root tissues.
Results of this exp*eriment indicate that to obtain more desir­
able growth responses to varying levels of nitrogen, potassium and
magnesium in the future either potassium and magnesium— particularly
magnesium— should be supplied in higher concentrations in relation to
nitrogen or nitrogen in lower concentrations in relation to potassium
83
and magnesium than was true in this experiment.
An experiment designed to establish minimum and optimum con­
centration of the essential elements within leaf tissue of lychees
for maximum growth and fruit production should be accomplished as one
of the next steps in nutritional research on this crop.
Once critical
nutrient levels are ascertained researchers will probably be better
able to evaluate results of more critical and complex nutritional
experiments,
SUMMARY
To study the effect of various levels of nitrogen, potassium
and magnesium on the growth and composition of Litchi chinensis
(lychee) a greenhouse, sand-cultured phase and field plot phase experi­
ment was established.
A 3x3x3 factorial experiment confounded in
blocks of nine treatments with four replications was utilized for each
phase.
In the greenhouse, air-layered trees were planted in polyethylene
containers filled with silica sand and nutrient elements provided in
solutions made of chemically pure salts in de-ionized water with the
following elemental concentrations in parts per million:
N 30, 80,
210; P 10; K 8, 32, and 180; Ca l60 to 180; Mg 12, 24, and 54; Mn 0.5;
Zn 0.05; Fe 0.5; B 0.5; Cu 0.01; and Mo 0.001.
In the field the vari­
ables were provided from ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate and mag­
nesium sulfate at the rates of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 pounds of N, 0.2,
0,6, and 1.8 pounds of K, and 0.1, 0.3, and 0.9 pounds of %
per year.
per tree
Measurements of canopy and caliper growth were made, and
leaf and fine root tissue were analyzed for content of nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium.
The data showed that as the concentration of nitrogen, potas­
sium and magnesium increased in the substrate the percentages of those
elements increased significantly within the tissues analyzed.
Increasing nitrogen levels in the substrate significantly sup­
pressed growth rate, slightly depressed content of leaf potassium but
very significantly reduced potassium content of the fibrous roots,
84
85
decreased magnesium uptake, slightly increased absorption of phosphorus
and had no effect on the calcium and sodium content of the tissue.
The concentrations of potassium and magnesium in the fibrous
roots were apparently at deficiency levels even when nitrogen was sup­
plied at the low level and potassium and magnesium at high levels.
Inasmuch as increasing nitrogen inversely affected accumulation of
potassium and magnesium, especially in the root system, at high nitrogen
levels these elements became exceedingly deficient.
Such deficiencies
probably reduced the absorptive ability of the roots to the point that
serious water stress resulted in the trees and growth rate was sharply
curtailed.
At high nitrogen-high potassium treatments the magnesium
content of the fine roots was almost negligible.
As potassium in the substrate increased growth rate was
significantly reduced, leaf nitrogen and phosphorus increased, mag­
nesium and calcium content of the tissue decreased and there was no
effect on sodium accumulation.
Apparently the adverse effect of
potassium on magnesium accumulation in the root system is the reason
for this element^s depressive effect on growth rate.
The various levels of magnesium had no effect on the tissue
content of the other elements checked nor on the growth rate of the
trees except in the case of low nitrogen treatments.
At low nitrogen
rates increasing magnesium increased caliper growth of the trees grown
in sand culture.
Although potassium and magnesium were deficient in the fibrous
roots there was apparently an adequacy of these elements in the leaves
of sand-cultured trees under most treatment combinations.
The reasons
86
for this phenomenon are not apparent from the data.
Probably at the
levels of the various elements provided there was a translocation
factor which prevented the accumulation of potassium and magnesium in
the roots.
An apparent potassium deficiency existing universally in the
field trees minimized the response of the trees to the treatments.
APPENDIX
87
88
TABLE 35
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF NITROGEN
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1957 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
S.S.
M.S.
34.11
1.70
0.24
0.57
0.03
25.28
1.01
0.34
0.24
0.32
0.16
0.80
4.02
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
9.9303
0.5226
12.64
0.51
0.17
220.209**
8.885*-*
2.961
0.06
1.045
0.08
1.393
0.696
0.04
0.10
1.7421
0.0574
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
TABLE 36
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF NITROGEN
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
S.S.
45.22
0.78
0.81
30.25
2.79
0.28
1.40
0.45
0.07
1.32
7.07
M.S.
0.26
0.10
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0,01 Level
2.5743
0.9901
15.125 149.7524**
1.40
13.8614-**
1.3861
0.14
0.35
3 .4653*
0.11
1.0891
0.02
0.1980
0.1650 1.6337
0.1010
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
3.13
3.13
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
3.60
2.77
^(Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
■5«Mndicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
89
TABLE 37
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF NITROGEN
IN ROOTS HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments;
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
107
5.08
0.09
0.14
0.03
1.0381
0.02
0.0692
1.22
0.61
0.08
0.05
0.85
0.37
0.04
0.03
21.1073^
1.3841
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
0.11
8
0.15
70
2.02
0.21
0.09
0.03
0.0188
0.0289
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
3.13
3.13
3.13
4.92
4.92
4.92
7.2664^H^ 2.50
2.50
3.1242*
1.0381
1.0381
2.50
3.60
3.60
3.60
0.6505
2.07
2.77
^Indicates significance at 5
iH^lndicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 38
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF NITROGEN
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM 6-YEAR-OLD
FIELD GROWN LYCHEE TREES
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
80
2
6
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
46
S.S.
1.90
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
0.06
0.03
1.1494
0.15
0.02
0.7663
3.20
2.30
5.10
3.22
0.36
0.04
0.00
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
1.20
0.18
0.02
0.00
0.005
0.05
0.05
0.0037
6.8966*^5' 3.13
4.92
4.92
0.7663
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.14367
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
''«{■indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
90
TABLE 39
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF POTASSIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1957 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
107
3
B
S.S.
31.52
0.27
0.47
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
0.02
0.01
2
0.4237
3.13
2 27.70 13.85
586.8644** 3.13
2
0.6356 3.13
0.015
0.03
2 .966* 2.50
0.29 0.07
4
0.11
4 .661** 2.50
4
0.43
0.12
2.50
0.03
1.271
4
8
0.536 0.067
2.839** 2.07
0.0236
70
1.65
4.92
4.92
4.92
0.09
0.06
3 .814*
2 .542*
26
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
^-'‘■Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
■îHflndicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 40
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF POTASSIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES1 GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
107 30.23
1.13
3
8
0.46
0.38
0.06
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
F Vaine Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
7 .3218** 2.74
1.1561
2.07
0.34 0.17
3 .2755*
23.23 11.62 223.8921**
0.01
0.005
0.0963
0.90
0.22
4 .2389**
0.18
0.04
0.7707
0.08
1.5414
0.33
0.07
0.0087 0.1676
3.63 0.0519
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.08
2.77
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
■^Hfindicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
91
TABLE 41
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECT OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF POTASSIUM
IN ROOTS HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
107 10.34
0.49
3
8
0.26
26
2
1.42
2
2.63
2
0.07
4
1.43
0.23
4
0.16
4
8
0.52
70
3.13
M.S.
0.16
0.03
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
3.5786*
0.6710
0.71
15.8801%-%30.4183*4!1.36
0.04
0.8947
7.8282-**
0.35
0.06
1.3420
0.04
0.8947
0.065
1.4538
0.04471
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
^Indicates significance at $ per cent level of probability,
•^'-^sindicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 42
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF POTASSIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM FIELDGROWN LYCHEE TREES
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
80
2
6
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
1.96
46
0.32
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
0.16
0.00
166.0465-%-4!' 3.20
0.00
2.30
5.10
3.22
0.35
0.03
0.08
0.18
0.02
0.12
0.03
0.07
0.14
0.716
0.04
0.02
93.023**
209.302**
23.258**
34.883**
23.255**
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.07
2.77
0.02
0.16
0.03
34.883**
0.089 104.069%-*
0.00086
•^Hi-lndicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
92
TABLE 43
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF MAGNESIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1957 FROM LYGHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level--0.01 Level
S.S.
1.80
0.23
0.08
M.S.
0.08
0.01
7.2072"'«t 2.74
0.9009
2.07
4.08
2.77
0.16
0.02
0.17
0.05
0.11
0.13
0.07
0.78
0.08
0.01
0.09
0.01
0.03
0.03
0.0088
0.0111
7. 2072* *
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
0.9009
8.1081iw
0.9009
2.7027*
2.7027*
0.7928
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
3.60
3.60
2.77
^'Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
^(-Indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 44
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF MAGNESIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
3.94
0.40
0.15
0.13
0.02
0.86
0.26
0.31
0.23
0.03
0.07
0.086
1.54
0.43
0.13
0.16
0.06
0.01
0.02
0.0175
0.0220
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0.01 Level
5.909*^^ 2.74
0.909
2.07
19.545*^!5.909*)!7.272**
2 .727*
0.454
0.909
00.795
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.08
2.77
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
^Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
■SHtindicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
93
TABLE 45
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF MAGNESIUM
IN ROOTS HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROVJN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
S.S.
0.20
0.0
0.01
0.05
0.03
0.01
0.05
0.01
0.01
0.0042
0.0258
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0. 05 Level-0.01 Level
0.0
0.0
0.00126 3.405**
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
0.025 67.567**
0.015 40.540**
0.005 13.513**
0.01
27.027**
0.0025 6.756*i(0.0025 6.756**
0.00052; 1.405
0.00037
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
^Indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 46
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF MAGNESIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM FIELDGROWN LYCHEE TREES
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
80
2
6
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
46
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-0 .01 Level
8 .8 .
1.13
0,06
0.12
M.S.
0.03
0.02
2.027
1.351
3.20
2.30
5.10
3.22
0.07
0.02
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.04
0.022
0.68
0.03
0.01
0.03
0.01
0.00
0.01
0.00275
0.034-8
2.027
0.675
2.027
0.675
0.0
0.675
0.185
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
94
TABLE 47
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF PHOSPHORUS
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1957 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
S.S.
1.26
0.01
0.08
0.12
0.10
0.01
0.04
0.08
0.10
0.10
0.64
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level—0.01 Level
0.0
0.01
0.0
1.11
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
0.06
0.05
0.005
0.01
0.02
0.025
0.01
0.009
6.66##
5.55##
0.55
1.11
2.22
2.78#
1.00
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
^Indicates significance at the 5 per cent level of probability.
iHi-indicates significance at the 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 48
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF PHOSPHORUS
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments :
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
107
2.26
0.23
0.07
0.10
0.01
0.27
0.18
0.62
0.01
0.15
0.04
0.04
0.31
3
8
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-O.Ol Level
7 .00## 2.74
1.00
2.07
4.08
2.77
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
0.07
0.73
0.0
0.04
0.01
0.01
0.00875
18.00##
31.00iHi0.0
4.00#-;!1.00
1.00
0.80
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
0.0104
iH(-indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
95
TABLE 49
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF PHOSPHORUS
IN ROOTS HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-O.Ol Level
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
107
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
0.19
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.0025
9.09^H!- 2.74
2.273^:- 2.07
4.08
2.77
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.00
0.00
0.01
0.08
0.005
0.01
0.005
0.005
0.000
0.000
0.0012
0.0011
4.559.09^«i4.55^
4.55-Î'0.0
0.0
1.09
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
■^'■Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
^‘^'Indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 50
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF PHOSPHORUS
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM FIELDGROm LYCHEE TREES
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps,
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
80
2
6
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
46
S.S.
1.98
0.51
0.14
M.S.
0.20
0.12
0.00
0.04
0.02
0.04
0.03
0.88
0.10
0.06
0.00
0.01
0.00
0.01
0.0037
0.019
0.25
0.02
F Value Required
at
F Value 0.05 Level-O.Ol Level
13.15**
1.05
3.20
2.30
5.10
3.22
5.26** 3.13
3.16*
3.13
0.00
3.13
0.526
2.50
0.00
2.50
0.526
2.50
0.1947 2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
i^Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
iH(-lndicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
96
TABLE 51
MALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF CALCIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1957 FROM LYCHEE
TREES GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments;
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-O.Ol Level
107 11.14
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
70
2.04
0.44
0.64
0.05
0.526
6.743^(* 2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
0.83
0.00
0.18
0.29
0.17
0.10
0.45
0.42
4 .425*
0.00
0.09
0.00
0.948
0.737
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
6.64
0.07
0,04
0.02
0.0563
0.0949
0.421
0.210
0.593
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
3-60
2.77
■^Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
**Indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 52
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON ACCUMULATION OF CALCIUM
IN LEAVES HARVESTED IN 1958 FROM LYCHEE
TREES1 GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
Total
Replications
Blocks in Reps.
Treatments:
N
K
Mg
NxK
NxMg
KxMg
NxKxMg
Error
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-O.OI Level
107 31.35
3
8
26
2
2
2
4
4
4
8
1.61
1.14
0.54
0.14
2 .770*
2.74
0.718
2.07
4.81
2.41
2.05
0.52
0.44
0.17
0.07
12.365**
4.10
1.04
1.77
0.66
0.28
2.30
70 13.64
0.2875
10.518**
2.668
2.257
0.872
0.359
1.475
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.08
2.77
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
0.1949
in^Indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
97
TABLE 53
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON INCREASE IN
CANOPY GROWTH OF LYCHEE TREES
GROWN IN SAND CULTURE
Source
d.f.
S.S.
M.S.
F Value
Total
107 18,249.21
Replications
367.30 122.43 0.855
3
Blocks in Reps . 8
760.27
95.03 0.664
Treatments
26
N
2 2 ,652.11 1 ,326.06 9.269**
K
2 4 ,141.62 2,070.81 7.485**
Mg
2
3.52 0.024
7.03
NxK
4
796.73 199.18 1.392
NxMg
158.32
39.58 0.276
4
KxMg
118.16 0.826
472.64
4
NxKxMg
8
7.0
0.88 0.006
Error
70 10,013.76
143.05
F Value Required
for Sign, at
0.05 Level-O.Ol Level
2.74
2.07
4.08
2.77
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
•»HS-indicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
TABLE 54
ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE TABLE FOR EFFECTS OF NITROGEN,
POTASSIUM AND MAGNESIUM ON INCREASE IN
CALIPER OF LYCHEE TREES GROWN
IN SAND CULTURE
d.f.
F Value Required
for Sign, at
F Value 0.05 Level-O.Ol Level
M.S.
S.S.
Total
107 168,665.01
Replications
3 11,826.83 3,9^.28
Blocks in Reps . 8
6,932.42
866.55
26
Treatments:
N
2 50,843.28 25,421.64
K
2 22,071.38 11,035.69
Mg
2
3,439.49 1,719.75
NxK
4 11,716.44 2 ,929.11
NxMg
6,950.66 1,737.67
4
KxMg
2 ,234.26
4
558.57
NxKxMg
8
5,705.18
713.15
Error
70 46,945.07
670.64
2.07
4.08
2.77
3.13
3.13
3.13
2.50
2.50
2.50
2.07
4.92
4.92
4.92
3.60
3.60
3.60
2.77
5.88i^* 2.74
1.14
37.91**
16.46-3**
2.56
4 .37**
2 .59*
0.80
1.06
•5<-Indicates significance at 5 per cent level of probability.
iMFEndicates significance at 1 per cent level of probability.
98
TABLE 55
THE pH OF CULTURE SOLUTIONS UTILIZED IN LICHEE EXPERIMENT
SAMPLES TAKEN JULY 31, 1957
Treatment
No.
N
K
Mg:
1
2
3
4
1.
2.
3.
4«
5.
6.
7.
S.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
4.9
4.3
4.5
6.6
6.4
6.4
6.1
6.5
5.7
4.3
4.3
4.2
3.8
4.1
5.5
4.3
4.5
5.1
4.7
4.9
3.9
3.9
4.0
4.4
4.1
4.2
3.9
4.6
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.4
3.9
3.9
4.4
3.9
6.2
6.2
6.1
6.2
6.1
5.9
4.2
4.8
4.4
5.1
5.9
4.3
5.2
6.3
5.9
4.0
5.0
3.9
4.3
4.2
4.6
4.6
3.6
4.1
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.3
5.0
4.0
4.2
4.0
3.9
3.8
4.0
4.5
4.4
4.0
3.8
3.9
3.9
4.2
3.8
3.8
4.1
3.8
4.1
6.8
4.0
5.6
4.4
4.2
4.1
3.9
4.1
3.7
3.9
4.1
4.1
3.8
4.0
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.9
3.8
5.1
3.8
99
TABLE 56
ANALYSES OF SOIL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM UNDER CANOPY OF LYCHEE ÏREES
GROWN IN THE FIELD AT OSPREY, FLORIDA.
SAMPLES TAKEN JANUARY 2, 1958
Replibion
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
Treatment
Numbers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
1
2
3
4
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Pound per acre of available nutrients
P2O5
K20
NO2*
MgO
pH
GaO
5.3
4.7
4.6
5.0
4.5
4.6
4.9
5.0
4.8
4.6
4.9
4.4
4.6
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.7
4.9
4.6
4.7
5.0
4.8
4.5
4.5
4.6
4.6
4.8
4.7
2398
345
795
1002
251
116
157
385
138
58
1301
532
576
251
197
103
69
576
493
958
304
4.4
4.5
4.8
4.6
4.4
4.6
4.8
4.6
5.0
4.5
4.8
4.6
5.5
4.7
444
41
50
138
154
149
132
1132
251
160
958
210
836
464
238
197
304
264
143
160
143
157
160
836
414
493
1132
493
665
958
385
210
181
444
160
160
160
160
160
665
1045
532
237
237
405
197
877
836
264
345
710
224
621
181
1343
621
181
160
160
1651
424
160
665
284
160
795
621
836
621
958
795
197
160
385
210
385
160
160
30
224
166
237
304
119
138
405
829
154
143
119
295
1088
295
1045
2211
621
613
224
81
46
69
120
120
108
75
58
81
64
52
108
157
120
150
75
75
160
64
157
160
160
86
108
160
160
105
77
108
160
52
103
103
218
108
188
97
86
138
169
81
75
81
64
132
58
97
212
120
L
L
L
L
L
L
VL
L
L
L
VL
L
L
L
L
L
VL
L
L
L
L
L
L
VL
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
LM
L
VL
L
L
VL
L
VL
VL
L
L
100
TABLE 56— Continued
Replication
II
II
II
II
II
.11
II
II
II
II
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
Treatment
Numbers
pH
GaO
18
4.8
19
4*6
4*6
4*6
453
877
295
710
576
958
710
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
19
20
21
22
4.5
4.4
4*4
4*6
4.5
4.5
5.4
4.5
4.7
4.5
4.6
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.8
4.5
4.5
4.7
4.8
NS
4.8
5.2
4.6
4.5
23
25
5.1
4.8
4.8
4.8
26
5.2
27
4.7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
4.8
5.0
532
665
621
754
1259
1259
1045
795
1132
1301
795
710
877
877
917
532
532
710
710
237
150
50
102
385
345
135
181
127
365
224
365
325
325
151
160
150
141
92
136
345
284
284
345
181
284
160
160
141
160
157
120
138
138
120
86
102
78
69
69
325
224
126
58
160
63
91
111
92
52
160
104
72
160
138
46
92
66
35
58
237
224
224
365
135
295
958
795
464
795
958
5.0
532
4.8
4.8
877
795
5.1
917
665
58
58
181
414
576
836
665
92
166
621
836
917
67
105
160
149
210
345
345
197
345
754
877
4.9
4.7
5.1
4.9
4.5
Pound per acre of available nutrients
MgO
K20
NO3*
%
135
39
23
70
83
104
151
160
52
103
138
64
75
75
58
35
92
64
103
64
92
210
210
136
122
102
224
141
58
150
251
58
52
160
160
160
69
92
111
138
81
325
119
284
345
284
181
160
131
122
35
30
69
69
35
L
VL
L
L
L
L
VL
VL
L
L
VL
VL
VL
VL
L
VL
VL
VL
VL
L
VL
L
L
VL
L
VL
VL
VL
m
L
VL
VL
LM
LM
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
101
TABLE 56— Continued
Repli­
cation
IV
IV
IV'
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
Treatment
Numbers
pH
CaO
Pound per acre of available! nutrients
P2Û5
K20
MgO
NOg*
12
13
14
15
4.9
665
5.5
4.8
5.1
795
493
16
4.9
5.2
5.0
5.0
4.7
621
621
5.1
5.2
958
385
665
665
532
1132
264
264
237
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
4.7
5.0
5.0
5.2
4.8
532
917
665
917
877
621
325
251
197
197
181
76
122
76
102
160
264
424
122
181
122
251
91
160
146
197
264
237
160
160
154
68
27
22
81
69
52
46
108
69
103
58
58
81
92
86
64
132
81
58
iKCflow; VL=tvery low; M=medium; H=high; VH^very high
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
VL
L
VL
VL
VL
VL
L
VL
L
VL
VL
TABLE 57
ANALYSES OF SOIL SAMPLES TAKEN FROM UNDER CANOPY OF LYGHEE TREES
GROWN IN THE FIELD AT OSPREY, FLORIDA.
SAMPLES TAKEN JULY 21, 1958
Replition
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
Treatment
pH
Numbers
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
4.7
5.0
4.5
4.7
4.8
4.8
4.7
4.7
4.8
4.8
4.6
4.7
4.9
4.6
4.9
4.6
26
4.9
4.7
5.1
4.5
27
1
3
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
L7
18
4.4
5.4
4.8
4.3
4.6
4.7
4.5
CaO
877
1132
836
836
1088
877
665
1045
795
917
958
710
710
403
253
240
492
112
75
149
116
160
175
373
160
160
85
309
309
309
213
373
288
433
185
143
127
160
157
154
160
75
175
157
163
103
58
64
97
103
240
911
160
877
267
226
105
149
108
97
120
163
86
75
2745
253
532
199
95
88
52
52
1472
462
754
754
453
754
373
160
149
116
123
212
97
112
92
710
751
158
253
309
123
143
157
81
58
185
67
75
331
522
492
172
226
213
160
154
160
149
132
157
223
52
65
112
112
58
35
754
1515
1045
795
751
4.8
4.6
4.3
4.8
1259
5.1
375
4.5
5.1
532
414
665
4.7
5.0
Pound per acre of available nutrients
K20
MgO
NO^*
%
1088
1472
4.5
4.9
4.6
453
1088
4%»
1002
5.0
1515
4.8
5.0
336
576
253
226
331
185
352
288
199
373
550
213
199
160
160
132
127
160
160
103
108
92
52
97
138
64
144
102
182
103
65
52
.
L
VL
LM
L
M
LM
L
LM
L
L
L
LM
LM
L
L
LM
L
M
VL
LM
LM
VL
M
L
L
L
L
LM
M
L
LM
L
L
L
L
L
LM
L
L
L
L
L
103
TABLE 57— Continued
Replication
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
II
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
III
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
Treatment
Number
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
II
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Pound per acre of available nutrients
%0
K20
NOj*
%
pH
GaO
4.6
5.0
4.5
4.3
4.7
4.7
5.2
4.5
4.8
4.6
4.8
576
172
133
172
576
1002
1088
877
493
288
917
576
403
309
665
226
453
226
267
309
240
199
635
267
240
4.4
4.7
4.8
4.7
5.2
4.6
5.0
4.2
4.3
4.6
5.0
4.7
4.8
4.7
5.2
5.1
4.5
4.4
4.8
4.8
4.6
4.7
4.4
5.3
4.9
4.8
5.0
5.2
4.8
5.3
4.7
1045
II32
5.3
4.5
4.9
621
493
1358
754
532
795
754
621
336
710
253
373
522
267
185
199
309
172
116
88
85
138
160
160
90
92
160
160
90
46
41
41
81
86
58
64
69
86
114
46
102
64
132
92
160
160
108
69
92
120
88
160
138
46
92
69
64
46
88
58
58
576
226
185
158
414
172
90
160
65
119
149
576
754
267
158
185
160
77
64
132
199
172
64
47
185
373
70
154
30
46
52
103
172
145
309
309
160
665
665
414
4J4
754
1045
532
336
621
1045
1045
373
958
1045
836
331
267
267
1301
492
1002
309
309
917
917
352
160
160
95
160
88
83
160
160
149
108
160
75
30
157
81
41
69
169
81
69
103
86
97
97
81
108
126
195
103
L
L
L
VL
L
L
L
L
L
LM
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
VL
L
VL
L
L
L
L
L
L
LM
LM
L
L
L
L
L
VL
L
L
L
L
VL
104
TABLE 57— Continued
Repli­
cation
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
IV
Treatment
Number
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
pH
CaO
5.2
5.0
4.8
5.1
5.0
5.0
5.3
5.1
4.9
5.2
4.8
4.9
5.1
4.8
5.3
5.1
5.0
5.0
1002
665
877
754
754
1045
621
795
1175
754
754
877
877
710
Pound per acre of available nutrients
NOj*
MgO
K20
^20$
267
240
331
213
253
373
226
240
522
226
213
522
240
309
532
185
1002
795
836
240
240
309
160
132
116
112
108
160
127
160
157
154
138
160
160
69
58
69
52
81
69
58
69
108
69
52
69
119
75
75
127
127
64
126
119
81
160
132
-”rL=low; VL=very low; M=mediura; H=high; VH=very high
L
L
L
L
L
VL
VL
VL
VL
L
L
LM
L
L
L
L
L
M
BIBLIOGRAPHY
105
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
Alten, P., G. Goeze and H. Fischer. 1937» Carbon dioxide assimi­
lation and nitrogen economy with increasing supply of potassium.
Bodenkunde u. Pflanzenernahr 5:259-289.
2.
Alten, F., and H. Orth. 1940. Water culture experiments relating
to the questions of antagonism between calcium and potassium.
Ernahr. Pflanze 36:13-16.
3.
Anthony, R. D., W. S. Clark, Jr., F. N. Fagen, D. E. H. Frear,
A. G, Richer, and J. W. White. 1946. Response of stayman apple
trees in metal cylinder to varying amounts of inorganic nitro­
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Sta. Bui. 483.
4.
Arnon, D. 1. and D. R. Hoagland. 1940. Crop production in arti­
ficial culture solutions and in soils with special reference to
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Soil Sci. 50:463-483.
5.
Association of Official Agricultural Chemists.
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6.
Boynton, Damon.
Sci. 63:53-58.
7.
Cain, John G. 1953. The absorption and distribution of mineral
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8.
Cain, John C. 1953. The effect of nitrogen and potassium ferti­
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Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort, Sci. 62:46-52.
9.
Cameron, S. H. and J. Bialoglowski. 1937. Effect of fertilization,
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leaves. Calif. Avocado Assoc. Yearbook 1937:142-148.
1947.
1955.
Methods of
Magnesium nutrition of apple trees.
Soil
10.
Camp, A. F., and B. R. Fudge. 1939» Some symptoms of citrus mal­
nutrition in Florida. Fla. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bui. 335.
11.
Chapman, H. D., and S. M. Brown. 1943.
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12.
Chen, Wen-Hsun. 1949. The culture of the lychee.
Sta. Hort, Soc. 62:223-226.
106
Potash in relation to
Proc. Fla.
107
13.
Cochran, W. G. and Gertrude M. Cox. 1950. Experimental Designs,
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14*
Gullinan, F. P., D. H. Scott, and John G. Waugh. 1938. The
effects of varying amounts of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus
on the growth of young peach trees, Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.
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15.
Eisennenger, Walter S., and Karol J. Kucinski. 1940. Minerals
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elements important in human physiology and nutrition, Mass. Agr.
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16.
Fudge, B. R. 1945. The relation of foliage and fruit analyses to
the fertilizer requirements of citrus. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Fla.
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17.
Fudge, B. R. 1946. Effect of application of calcium and magnesium
upon absorption of potassium by citrus. Citrus Ind. 27(8):5-9.
18.
Grove,William
R. 1951. The lychee is a natural for south Florida.
State of Fla., Dept, of Agri. Bui. 134, New Series.
19 . Haas,
sium.
20.
A. R. C. 1936. The growth of citrus in relation to potas­
Calif, Citrograph 22:6, 17, 54, 62.
Haas,
A. R. C.
24:395-415.
1949.
Potassium in citrus trees.
Plant Physiol.
21.
Hewitt, E. J. 1953. The use of sand-culture methods for investi­
gations on plant nutrition. Sci. and Fruit 1953:171-183.
22.
Hilgeman, R. H., J. G. Smith, and G. E. Draper. 1940. A pre­
liminary note on nitrogen assimilation by citrus trees. Proc.
Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 37:58-61.
23 .
Hoagland, D. R. 1919. Relation of the concentration and reaction
of the nutrient medium to the growth and absorption of the plant.
Journ. Agri. Res. 18:73-118.
24 . Horn, G. C.
1955. Some factors affecting the accuracy of the
flame spectrophotometric determination of magnesium in soils.
Unpublished Dissertation, University of Florida, August, 1955.
25 .
Jamison, V. C. 1946. Chemical relationship of potassium and mag­
nesium in organic and sandy soils of central Florida. Soil Sci.
61:443-453.
26 . Larson, W. E., and V/. H. Pierre.
1953. Interaction of sodium and
potassium on yield and cation composition of selected crops. Soil
Sci. 76:51-64.
108
27*
Lundergardh, H. 1951. Leaf analysis. (English
R. L. Mtchell) Hilger and Watts, Ltd. 1?6 pp.
28.
Lynch, 3. John, Seymour Goldweber, and Clarence Rich. 1954.
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tree growth, and leaf analysis of avocados. Proc. Fla. State
Hort. Soc. 67:220-224.
29 .
Lynch, S. John. 1954. Fertilizing practices on the lychees in
Dade County. Proc. Fla. Lychee Growers Assoc. 1:14.
30 . Macy, Paul.
of plants.
translation by
London, England.
1936. The quantitative mineral nutrient requirements
Plant Physiol. 11:749-764.
31 . Marloth, Raimund H.
1949.
The litchi in south Africa. Union
of South Africa, Bui. 286:1-16.
32 . Nightingale, G. T.
1942. Nitrate and carbohydrate reserves in
relation to nitrogen nutrition of the pineapple. Hot. Gaz.
103:409-456.
33 . Nightingale, G. T.
1942. Potassium and phosphorus nutrition of
pineapple in relation to nitrate and carbohydrate reserves. Bot.
Gaz. 104:191-223.
34 . O^Donohoe, Thomas F.
1945. Magnesium deficiency in some crop
plants in relation to the level of potassium nutrition. Jour.
Agri. Sci. 35:254-263.
35 . Peach, M., and T. W. Young.
from Florida citrus groves.
36 .
1948. Chemical studies on soils
Fla. Agri. Expt. Sta. Bui. 448.
Reuther, Walter and P. F. Smith. 1950. A preliminary report on
the relation of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium fertilization
to yield, leaf composition and the incidence of zinc deficiency
in oranges. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 56:27-33.
37 . Reuther, Walter, and P. F. Smith.
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY
I, Jasper Newton Joiner, was born in Winter Garden, Florida,
June 1, 1921. I received ray secondary school education in the public
schools of Winter Garden, Florida, and my undergraduate training at
North Carolina State College and the University of Florida, receiving
from the latter the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in
1947. After graduation I owned and operated a florist shop.
In 1950,
I joined the staff of the University of Florida as Assistant Agri­
cultural Editor for the Agricultural Experiment Stations and Extension
Service.
In 1953 I became Assistant Horticulturist with the University
of Florida Agricultural Extension Service and during this time com­
pleted requirements for the Master of Agriculture degree which was
awarded August, 1955*
In September, 1955, I took leave of absence
to fulfill residence requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree
at the Ohio State University.
After my return to the University of
Florida in October, 1956, I was appointed Assistant Professor of Orna­
mental Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Assistant
Ornamental Horticulturist with the Agricultural Experiment Station.
During this time I completed all other requirements for the Doctor of
Philosophy degree.
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