Estimated amount of N, P and K removed from pruning of mango sowed at high density.
Avilán L., Horci Escalante L., Marín R. C., Soto E., Pérez M., Rodriguez M., Ruíz J.
Author Affiliation: INIA, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (CENIAP), Apdo. 4653, Maracay 2101, estado Aragua, Venezuela.
Agronomía Tropical (Maracay) 57 : 113-121
Abstract : In a ten-year-old orchard of mango (cultivars Haden, Edward, Springfels and Tommy Atkins), planted at high density (278 pl ha-1), where different pruning treatment (Pruning (PD) cut of the superior part at 2 m height from the soil (topping); PD+the application of the grow retardant paclobutrazol (PD+PBZ), PD+lateral branches pruning at the beginning of the fifth year of 1-2 internal primary branches from the base to the insertion point (PD+E), and PD+cut of lateral branches in a 1.8 m ratio from the trunk, (P+L)) were applied at the beginning of the cycle, we measured the amount of N, P and K removed in branches, sprouting and leaves. We also measured the annual increment of the volume of the canoty (IVC), and dry and fresh matter. The highest IVC was observed at the PD+L treatment for the Haden variety. The leaves and branches represented, in average, 52.6% and 40.1% respectively of the removed material, while the buds 7.5%. The concentration (g kg-1) of N, P, and K in removed materials was 3.7, 1.3 and 1.7 in thick branches, 6.4, 1.7 and 13.8 in buds, and 14.2, 1.4, and 9.9 in leaves. The amount of N, P, and K removed by PD+L and PD represented about 21 to 24% of N and K, and between 30 and 35% of P applied at the beginning of the cycle. The extraction of N, P, and K by Haden, characterized by high vegetative vigor, was 13% greater that the amount extracted by Tommy Atkins, with an intermediate vegetative vigor. Adjustment in the levels of fertilizer application by restitution must be done in function of the pruning intensity and vegetative vigour of the cultivars.