The consequences of fertilization shortage for hazelnuts

The trial started at the research location in Wageningen with one year old plants of one of the most important cultivars of the hazelnut. These were planted in an inert substrate. The plants were supplied with 100% or 50% of the standard dosage of one of the main elements (nitrogen, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). <section style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; display: block; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

The researchers described and photographed the deficiency symptoms. In addition, they measured and analysed the biomass of the crop; this shows what effect a deficiency of a nutrient has on growth and on the absorption of nutrients. With the findings, the client can provide hazelnut growers a better cultivation advice.

What was striking in the study was that calcium deficiency in the crop not only occurs at a low dose of calcium, but also with other treatments. This is because calcium deficiency has more to do with a poor distribution of calcium among the plant parts. This causes the same symptoms as with 'real' calcium deficiency, such as 'Tipburn'.

In the coming year, WUR will investigate the effects of a shortage or surplus of trace elements in hazelnut.

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Source and Photo Courtesy of Wageningen University & Research

Source: Wageningen University & Research