The Effects of Irrigation on Leaf Nutrient Content of Pomegranate

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a characteristic species of the Mediterranean area whose use and culture are of longstanding tradition. It is an important horticultural crop for both domestic and export markets in Turkey. It adapts to all kinds of climate and soil and it can tolerate long periods of drought once the plant is established but regular irrigation is mandatory in commercial production. We investigated the effect of different irrigation water amounts on nutrient uptake of 10-year old pomegranate trees two consecutive years. Three different irrigation water
quantities were applied by drip irrigation system. First leaf samples were taken a week before starting the irrigation treatments and continued until the end of the harvest season with four weeks interval. Results showed that leaf contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and manganese were affected with quantity of irrigation water in the first year. In the second year, contents of phosphorus, copper, iron, manganese and zinc changed by the irrigation levels.