Mineral deficiencies in seedlings of two Mediterranean hardwood species

Abstract

Mineral deficiencies are common during the seedling growth in forestry nurseries, as well as during the initial establishment of the plantations. The aim of this work was to study the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and iron deficiencies in two Mediterranean hardwood species: Quercus suber L. and Ceratonia siliqua L. The test was made in hydroponic liquid culture, using solutions lacking N, P, K or Fe and a control solution. The test lasted 139 days for Quercus suber and 190 days for Ceratonia siliqua, and was developed with 50% of shade. During this period, morphological attributes (height, dry weight of aerial part and root) and physiological attributes (relative chlorophyll content and nutrient concentration in leaves) were determined, as well as the visible symptoms caused by the respective nutrient deficiencies. Nutrient deficiencies affected morphological and physiological attributes, and in some cases visual symptoms appeared. In addition, other determinations like relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) and nutrient foliar concentration are suggested to assure a correct diagnosis.