Abstract
The effects of three single, spring fertilizer treatments (complete, complete minus N and complete minus B) on raspberry plants were examined in detail over two seasons. Phosphorus, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn in addition to N and B were measured in various plant parts and soil samples monthly. There were no fertilizer effects on berry yield, but treatment-year primocane stem and residualyear floricane stems and laterals were smaller without N. Minus B reduced application-year lateral weights. Soil nitrate concentrations were consistently low without N showing plants used soil organic N as it was mineralized. Soil nitrate concentrations were greater with than without N during the first growing season only. Above-ground plant uptake of the 134 kg N ha-1 application was 34% over the 2 yr. Leaf tissue concentrations were too dynamic for plant N status evaluation, but floricane stem N concentrations showed promise. Hot water extract B in soil responded to B application, but varied with time of sampling. Significant soil B remained in the soil into the second year, apparently not leached as readily as nitrate. Leaf B concentrations were too variable over time for plant B status evaluation, but floricane laterals showed promise. The treatments influenced concentrations of elements other than N and B, but only above-ground P and Mn accumulations were affected significantly. Detailed plant and soil analyses were necessary to fully evaluate treatment effects on this complex-growing perennial crop. Key words: Raspberry yield, raspberry N accumulation, raspberry B accumulation, raspberry nutrient dynamics, apparent N recovery, apparent B recovery, soil nitrate test, nitrate leaching, soil extractable B, residual effects
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