Soil zinc fertilization in one-year-old potted 'Wichita' pecan trees in alkaline soil

H. Núñez-Moreno, J. L. Walworth, A. P. Pond

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of soil application of various Zn sources on potted pecan trees. One-year-old 'Wichita' pecan trees were planted in 40 L containers on February 28, 2008. Treatments included an untreated control, soil-applied Zn sulfate, Zn EDTA, Zn Avail (dicarboxylic acid polymer resin), manure, manure plus Zn sulfate, and foliar applied Zn sulfate. The manure application rate was 11.4 ton·ha-1, and the Zn application rate was 74 kg Zn·ha-1 for each material. The foliar sprayed solution was ZnSO4 (0.24% w/v) plus urea ammonium nitrate (0.25% v/v). Soil treatments were applied once on April 4. Foliar sprays were applied every three weeks from April 4 to August 15. The experimental design used was a Latin Square with seven replications, with each tree comprising one plot. Data collected included plant growth, chlorophyll index, and leaf mineral composition. Sorption studies were conducted to determine the effect of Zn source (Zn sulfate, Zn EDTA, and Zn Avail) and organic matter on soil Zn adsorption. Plant growth was not affected significantly by treatments; however, total leaflet growth was higher in the Zn EDTA treatment with 30.6 g per plant versus 20.2 g per plant in the untreated control. Trees treated with Zn EDTA had the highest leaf Zn concentration (240 μg·g-1). Foliar sprayed trees had foliar Zn levels about half that of trees treated with Zn EDTA. Soil adsorption isotherms showed that of the three fertilizers evaluated Zn sulfate was adsorbed most strongly by the soil (1.5 mg Zn·g-1 of soil). Soil adsorption from Zn EDTA solutions was insignificant. Zinc EDTA can increase soil Zn availability to pecans growing in alkaline, calcareous soils.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationI International Symposium on Pecans and Other Carya in Indingenous and Managed Systems
EditorsR. Heerema, L.J. Grauke
PublisherInternational Society for Horticultural Science
Pages73-80
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9789462610606
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2015

Publication series

NameActa Horticulturae
Volume1070
ISSN (Print)0567-7572

Keywords

  • Carya illinoinensis
  • Manure
  • Mineral composition
  • Zn Avail
  • Zn EDTA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Horticulture

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