Abstract

GARCIA-HERNANDEZ, J. L. et al. Nutrient interactions and compositional nutrient diagnosis norms in pecan tree (Carya illinoensis). Rev. Chapingo Ser.Hortic [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.2, pp. 141-147. ISSN 1027-152X.

Pecan (Carya illinoensis) is currently one of the most profitable crops in northern Mexico. There are several reports about different nutrimental imbalances affecting the yield and productivity of this species at the region identified as Comarca Lagunera, which shares portions of the States of Coahuila and Durango. This study was developed to calculate the preliminary compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) norms of this species and to identify nutrient interactions. The yield target for mature fruit of this crop was assessed through the CND approach, as well as the corresponding optimum ranges of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) foliar content, which are called CND nutrient norms. These norms qualify the minimum yield of 1.39 t·ha^-1 for this crop. The statistical principal component analyses, performed using estimated CND nutrient indexes, allowed us to identify the following nutrient interactions: positive N-R, and negative N-Ca, K-Mg, and P-Ca.

Keywords : yield; plant nutrition; nutrient balance; pecan.