Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Tree Growth and Nutrient Content in Soil and Cherry Leaves ( Prunus cerasus L.)

Krzysztof Rutkowski and Grzegorz P. Łysiak ()
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Krzysztof Rutkowski: Department of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznań, Poland
Grzegorz P. Łysiak: Department of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznań, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: Nitrogen fertilization ensures the proper growth of trees. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of differentiated nitrogen fertilization on selected parameters. It was assumed that such analysis is an indirect picture of the needs of cherries grown in herbicide fallow. The content of minerals in two layers of the soil, in leaves, and its influence on tree growth, and the content of chlorophyll in leaves were assessed. The experiments were carried out in three different cherry orchards. Three levels of fertilization were applied in each orchard: 0 kg, 60 kg, and 120 kg N ha −1 . As expected the fertilization resulted in an increase in the content of nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen in the soil, however, their content was also dependent on precipitation and temperature. Additionally, high nitrogen fertilization increased the content of phosphorus and potassium and decreased the magnesium in the topsoil layer. High nitrogen fertilization caused the decreased content of phosphorus and potassium in the leaves. The level of calcium and magnesium in leaves increased with fertilization of 60 kg N ha −1 but decreased with the dose to 120 kg N ha −1 . The use of nitrogen fertilization increased the vegetative growth of trees measured by leaf area and trunk cross-sectional area. However, the chlorophyll content was not dependent on the amount of nitrogen fertilization. Based on the results, it can be concluded that 60 kg N ha −1 is the optimal dose, ensuring proper nutrition of cherry trees.

Keywords: Prunus cerasus; ammonium nitrate; chlorophyll; tree cross sectional area; mineral content; carotenoids (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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