تلخیص
A survey was conducted to assess the micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, B) status of apple orchards in Swat valley of North West Frontier Province during summer 2006. For this 52 orchards were surveyed. Soil and leaf samples were collected from each orchard and analyzed for micronutrients. The analysis of apple leaves showed that Zn was low in 37%, adequate in 50% and high in 13% high orchards. Copper was low in 2%, adequate in 88% and high in 10% orchards. Manganese was low in 58% and adequate in 42% orchards. Boron was low in 44% and adequate in 48% orchards. None of the 52 orchards was deficient in Fe. The leaf analysis showed that apple orchards were deficient in Zn, Mn and B in almost all areas in Swat valley. The soil analysis revealed that almost all of the 52 apple orchards were adequate in Cu, Fe and Mn at all soil depths. However, Zn was deficient in both surface and sub-surface soils of large number of orchards. The soils at lower depths (15-30 and 30-45 cm) were more deficient in Zn than the surface (0-15 cm) soil. The soil pH of most apple orchards was between 6.5 and 7.5, and EC below 4.0 dS m-1. Based on leaf analysis, our results suggested that apple orchards in Swat were found deficient in Zn, Mn and B but pH and EC were not likely responsible for unavailability of such nutrients to apple trees. No or poor correlation was found between the soil and plant tests for diagnosing micronutrient deficiencies in apple orchards. However, strong correlations were found between surface soil (0-15 cm) and cumulative micronutrients contents of the profile (0-45 cm). Thus, the surface soil analysis can be used to measure pattern in micronutrients fertility of the profile using the regression equations developed in this study. To overcome micronutrients deficiencies in apple, experiments are needed to determine suitable dose of micronutrients application to apple orchards in Swat valley
Z. Shah, K. Shahzad. (2008) Micronutrients status of apple orchards in Swat valley of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, The Journal Soil & Environment , Volume 27, Issue 1.
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