LEAF ANALYSIS FOR CALIFORNIA DECIDUOUS

FRUITS

James Beutel, K. Uriu, and O. Lilleland

Leaf analysis of tree fruits can be used to identify different sides of the trees. Where samples taken an­
nutritional problems, to detect low levels of nutrients nually are to be compared, the pattern of sampling
before harmful deficiencies occur, and to measure tree should be the same; better yet, samples should be
responses to applied fertilizers. Such analyses are ex­ taken from the same marked trees or rows. All off-type
tremely helpful in identifying multiple deficiencies trees, odd varieties, replants, and atypical trees and
and excess levels. They also provide a basis for deter­ leaves should be avoided. Each leaf sample should be
mining the effects of nutrient levels on the perfor­ large enough to adequately represent the orchard or
mance of trees growing in different climates and under plot, and to provide sufficient tissue for analysis of
different management practices. Certain toxicities (8, several elements. Adequate samples consist of at least
C 1, N a) may be detected by leaf analysis but should be 40 leaves from small plots, or 100 leaves from orchard
confirmed by soil analysis. Tissue analyses are not a blocks of 10 to 20 acres.
substitute for careful observation of non-nutritional
Most of the California leaf analysis standards are based
factors such as diseases, pests, soil depth and moisture,
on samples of 60 to 100 leaves. Size of leaf is also an
crop control, and generally good horticultural prac­
important consideration. Commonly about 60 to 80
tices.
peach or pear leaves are used per sample, 30 fig leaves,
and 80 to 100 almond leaves. Where small plots are
SAMPLING being checked, ten leaves are taken from each tree,
Results of a leaf analysis can be no better than the and the total sample may involve four to eight trees.
sampling and analytical procedures used. Only fully­ For a random sample of an orchard, only one leaf is
expanded, mature leaves, 2 to 5 months old, are satis­ taken from each of 50 to 100 trees spread over the
factory for leaf samples for deciduous fruit and nut orchard area. Leaves may be collected by walking up
trees. In California, all leaf analysis standards are one row and returning on another row about 200 to
based on spur leaves (almond, apple, apricot, cherry, 400 feet away.
pear, plum, prune) and basal to mid-shoot leaves for
Sample handling. Normally, leaves are collected in
peaches. Leaves from non-fruiting spurs are easiest to
paper bags and stored in portable ice chests. Plastic
collect and give the most consistent results. The criti­
bags are often used, especially for samples that must be
cal levels of nutrients presented here are for the June­
kept fresh for several days until washed. Leaves in
July period, but samples may be taken in August or
plastic bags must be kept cool and protected from
September if interpretation of results is adjusted for
direct sunlight.
seasonal effects.
Ideally, every 10 acres of an orchard, every soil type, Leaves to be analyzed for macronutrients usually need
and every variety should be sampled separately. Grow­ not be washed. If micronutrient analyses (8, Cu, Mn,
ers, however, prefer to sample problem blocks and take and Zn) are to be made, leaves should be washed in
a few samples per year from good blocks. Answers to water containing a small amount of detergent followed
problem areas are often found by comparing samples by rinsing in tap water and by two distilled water
from the problem areas with samples from good areas rinses. Leaves should be dried in forced-draft ovens at
in the same orchard. 65° to 70°C.

The sampling unit should represent trees of the same Spray residues of micronutrients cannot be washed off
age, variety, and rootstock, growing on similar soils of leaves satisfactorily, so it is worthless to analyze
the same ft:rtility level. Each sample should be col­ micronutrient-sprayed leaves. Where Nand K sprays
lected so that leaves come from representative trees are used, the amount of macroelement spray residue is
over the entire sample area. Leaves may be picked 4 to small compared to total content ofN and K in the leaf,
6 feet from the ground, should be of the same and therefore analyses can be safely made a week after
chronological age and type, and should come from application.

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 CRITICAL NUTRIENT LEVELS leaf samples will help maintain N levels within reason.

Table 4 gives critical nutrient levels in leaves for all of If leaf analysis shows N levels in excess of optimum,
reduce the application rate next year by one-half and
ft
the major deciduous fruit and nut crops of California.
The values are total content of nutrients listed and are repeat the leaf analysis. If this fails to bring N within
based on June-July samples, although August and early the optimum range, apply none or at most only 50
September samples may be used if 0.2 percent is sub­ pounds ofN per acre annually until adjustment occurs.
tracted from June-July levels for Nand K. Values for Other sources ofN (as from irrigation water) should be
other elements are about the same for August and for checked to determine the sources of the excess.
June-July samples. Excess levels ofN are indicated by
If trees are N-deficient, existing rates ofN fertilization
the underlined values. Excesses of B, C1, and Na are
should be doubled or raised to the level common to the
shown. Concentrations associated with excesses of
area. Where sod or summer cover crops are used, at
other elements are unknown.
least 75 pounds ofN per acre must be added for use by
When properly sampled and analyzed, differences of the cover crop. In addition to cover crop use, fruit
10 percent between nutrient levels are significant at crops grown in the San Joaquin and Sacramento val­
the 95 percent confidence level. Reasons for varia­ leys need 100 to 200 pounds ofN per acre. Some fruit
tions in nutrient concentrations from year to year are crops in the coastal areas (apricots and prunes) need
not always obvious. Size of crop markedly affects nutr­ about 60 pounds ofN per acre. Usually, N is applied in
ient levels. Excessive crops reduce the percentage of the late summer or early fall. Orchards on sandy soils
K, increase Ca and Mg levels, but have little effect on may be benefited by split applications (winter and
the micronutrients. High levels of available soil mois­ spring). Early season shipping apricots and peaches
ture tend to increase P, K, Mg and Ca levels, should not be fertilized until after the crop is picked.
presumably due to better root activity, and to de­ and then, for early maturity, apply about 40 pounds of
creased percentage N due to dilution by growth. Other N per acre for apricots and 80 pounds per acre for
seasonal variations are due to weather or cultural prac­ peaches.
tices.
Potassium. Deficiencies ofK can usually be corrected
by an application of 1 ton per acre of K ZS0 4 drilled 6 to
FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS 8 inches deep in one to two bands on opposite sides of
Nitrogen. As leaf color and shoot growth are only fair the tree row. This rate works for both low density (75
indicators of the N status of most fruit crops, annual trees per acre) and high density orchards (300 trees per

TABLE 4. CRITICAL NUTRIENT LEVELS IN THE LEAVES OF FRUIT AND NUT TREES (JULY SAMPLES)'

Nt K:j: Ca Mg Na CI§ B Zn
-- -- --- --- ------
Defic. Adequate Defic. Adequate Adequate Excess Defic. Excess Adequate

Crop below below over Over Over Over Over below Adequate over over

% % % % % % % % ppm ppm ppm ppm

Almonds 2.0 2.2-2.5 1.0 1.4 2.0 0.25 0.25 0.3 25 • 30-65 85 18

Apples 1.9 2.0-2.4 1.0 1.2 1.0 0.25 0.3 20 25-70 100 18

Apricots (ship) 1.8 2.0-2.5 2.0 2.5 2.0 0.1 0.2 15 20-70 90 16

ApriCots (can) 2.0 2.5-3.0 2.0 2.5 2.0 0.1 0.2 15 20-70 90 16

Cherries (sweet) 2.0-3.0 0.9 20 14

Figs 1.7 2.0-2.5 0.7 1.0 3.0 300

Olives 1.4 1.5-2.0 0.4 0.8 1.0 0.10 0.2 0.5 14 19-150 185

Nectarines and

Peaches (freestone) 2.3 2.4-3.3 1.0 1.2 1.0 0.25 0.2 0.3 18 20-80 100 20

Peaches (cling) 2.4 2.6-3.5 1.0 1.2 1.0 0.25 0.2 0.3 18 20-80 100 20

Pears 2.2 2.3-2.8 0.7 1.0 1.0 0.25 0.25 0.3 15 21-70 80 18

Plums (Japanese) 2.3-2.8 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.25 0.2 0.3 25 30-60 80 18

Prunes 2.2 2.3-2.8 1.0 1.3 1.0 0.25 0.2 0.3 25 30-80 100 18

Walnuts 2.1 2.2-3.2 0.9 1.2 1.0 0.3 0.1 0.3 20 36-200 300 18

Adequate levels for all fru~ am nut crops: Phosphorus (P) is 0.1-0.3%; copper (Cu). over 4 ppm; Manganese (Mn), over 20 ppm.
• Leaves are from nonfrulOlg spurs on spur-bealing trees, fUlly expanded basal to mid-shoolleaves on peaches. and olives, am terminal leaflet on walnut.
t Percenlage N in August ard September samples can be 0.2-3% lowerthan July samples and still be equivalent. Nitrogren levels higher than underlined vaiues will adversely affect Inuit
qual~ am tree growth. Maxi"num N for B1enheims should be 3.0% and for n~ons, 3.5%.
:j: Potassium levels between deficient and adequate are considered "low" and may cause reduced fruit sizes in some years. Potassium fertilizer applications are recommemed for
deficient orchards but test appications only for "low" K orchards.

§ Excess Na or CI cause reduced growth at the levels shown. Leaf bum mayor may nol occur When levels are higher. Contirm salin~ problems with soil or root samples.

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•
acre). In heavy clay soils and those soils where 1 ton Spring foliage applications give good correction and
has proved inadequate, applications of 2 tons per acre are most practical. Applications of 4 to 5 pounds of
are advisable. For the acid sandy soils of the Merced basic Zn-sulfate (50 percent Zn) per 100 gallons of
area, 500 to 1,000 pounds per acre of K2S0 4 are spray solution to supply 12 to 20 pounds of basic
adequate, even when broadcast on the surface. Repeat Zn-sulfate per acre are generally perferred, although 4
applications are needed only when leaf analysis again pounds of Zn-oxide per 100 gallons are satisfactory.
shows low K levels, which may occur in 3 to 5 years. An application of 2 pounds of Zn-EDTA per 100
Results from K applications to the soil can occur the gallons is also corrective. In prunes and plums,
first year, but usually require 2 years after application. phytotoxicity may result should rain occur shortly after
the Zn application. For walnuts and cherries, both of
Foliar sprays of 8 pounds of KN03 per 100 gallons of
which absorb Zn poorly through their leaves, repeat
solution (30 pounds per acre) applied 4, 6, 8, and 10
applications of 2 pounds of Zn-EDTA per 100 gallons
weeks after full bloom have been beneficial in reducing
or Vl to 1 pound of Zn-sulfate per 100 gallons have
K deficiency in prunes and may help other species.
been successful.
Potassium nitrate sprays may supplement soil applica­
tions for correction of K deficiency. Fall foliar applications of 5 to 10 pounds of Zn-sulfate
(36 percent Zn) per 100 gallons (20 to 40 pounds per
Orchards under sod or nontillage will show less K
acre) give good correction if made in October before
deficiency than those normally disked. Permitting
leaf drop. Sprays will bum leaves and give correction
roots to grow in surface soils increases uptake of K.
in almonds, apricots, cherries, and pears. Some injury
Crop control is essential to control K deficiency in can occur on peaches, so the lower rate is maximum.
fruit crops such as prunes which set' excessive crops.
Dormant applications of Zn help to correct deficiency
Overcropping results in poor top and root growth.
but are less satisfactory or practical than are foliage
Dieback of prune tops will cause reduction of bearing
sprays. Rates of 10 to 20 pounds of Zn-sulfate per 100
surface and tend toward alternate cropping. Crop con­
gallons of spray (25 to 50 pounds per acre) will correct
trol is best obtained by chemically thinning fruit at
Zn deficiency. Zinc sulfate and oil will cause injury and
blossom time, or by thinning fruit mechanically or
should not be applied within 30 days of each other during
chemically 30 to 45 days after bloom. Good irrigation
the dormant period.
practice; crop control, and K fertilizer applications
will usually correct all forms of K deficiency. In severe cases of Zn deficiency, dormant and foliage
Phosphorus. Deficiency of P is rare in fruit crops but applications should be made in the same year. Annual
can occur in trees growing on soils very low in avail­ maintenance applications of Zn are desirable in areas
able P. It can be corrected with surface applications of severe deficiency.
every 3 years of 5 to 6 cubic yards of chicken manure or
Manganese. Deficiencies of Mn in fruit trees can be
1,000 pounds per acre of treble superphosphate.
corrected by foliage sprays of 1 to 2 pounds of Mn­
Broadcast applications have been effective, but strip or
sulfate or Mn-EDTA per 100 gallons (4 to 8 pounds per
ring applications at the drip-line of the tree are better. acre) applied in April.
Magnesium. Deficiencies of Mg are rare in California
fruit orchards, and control procedures have not been Copper. Deficiencies of Cu in pears, walnuts, or ap­
adequately checked. Sprays of Mg(N0 3 h may be nec­ ples can be corrected by foliage sprays of Cu-EDTA or
essary with heavy soils, or dolomitic lime applications Bordeaux mixture.
to acid soils.
Boron. Deficiencies of B are corrected by soil applica­
Zinc. Deficiencies of Zn must be corrected by foliar or tions of 50 pounds of borax per acre. Foliar sprays of 1
dormant sprays. Recommendations vary among crops, pound of "Solubor®" per 100 gallons of solution give
thus general recommendations are given. control of B deficiencies for 1 or more years.

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 ..

U)

SOIL D PLANT

TISSUE TESTING

IN CALIFORNIA

Division of Agricultural' Sciences

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

BULL ETIN 1879