Nutritional Status Assessment of Pistachio Orchards in Qazvin Plain, Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT Plant analysis is used to optimize the fertilizer applications and diagnosis of the plant nutrition disorders. In the present study, the standard norms for pistachio orchards have been calculated and compared using two methods of Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) and Deviation from Optimum Percentage (DOP) in Qazvin Plain (Iran). The composite leaf samples were taken from 200 pistachio orchards during three years (2017–2019) and concentrations of Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Nitrogen (N), Boron (B), and Copper (Cu) were measured, along with recording the orchards’ yield. The results of CND method showed that the most frequency percentage of the nutrients deficiency was respectively belonged to Mn, Mg, and P in the orchards. Same results were obtained in DOP method. The priority of the nutrient’s deficiency in DOP method was as follows: Mn > Mg > P > K> Ca. In general, it is concluded that Mn, Mg, and P are the most limiting nutrients, are which due to being calcareous, high K content and low organic matter content of the soil, these deficiencies are justified. Therefore, it is recommended to use organic matters, P, Mg, and Mn to improve the yield of pistachio orchards.