Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients absorption and allocation in fruit of Zanthoxylum bungeanum ‘Hanyuan’ during the development

Abstract

Learn about the dynamic changes of mineral nutrients in fruit is important to make effective fertilization measures during the fruit development. The content and accumulation of mineral nutrients (included N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in fruit (included pericarp, seed and whole fruit) of Zanthoxylum bungeanum 'Hanyuan' were measured during the development to explore nutrient requirements and allocation. The changes of nutrient contents and accumulation in fruit of Z. bungeanum ‘Hanyuan’ showed a similar trend. A temporary increase was observed in the content of N, P, Mg, Mn and Cu after blooming (AF). Subsequently, all nutrient contents declined rapidly during the fruit enlargement stage and a slight decrease during the seed formation stage, while the nutrient contents remained relatively stable in the other stages. The nutrient accumulation increased the most rapidly during the fruit enlargement and seed development stages, and there was a highly significant linear correlation between the fruit nutrient accumulation and dry weight (P < 0.05). Except for N and Mn, the content and accumulation of other nutrients were higher in the seed than that in the pericarp. Furthermore, the nutrient accumulation in fruit at maturity (115 d AF) ranked as Ca > K > N > Mg > P > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Both the fruit enlargement (15–39 d AF) and seed development (57–86 d AF) stages are crucial periods for nutrient requirements. The nutrient absorption by the seed was increased, and nutrient accumulation in the pericarp tended to slow down or remained relatively stable during the seed development stage.