Leaf nutrient status of some grafted-pear rootstocks influenced by different soil types

Aim of study: Determining leaf nutrient status of some grafted-pear rootstocks grown under different calcareous soil types.Area of study: The Horticultural Research Station of Kamalabad, Karaj, Iran.Material and methods: Leaf mineral element concentrations were determined in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Leaf sampling was carried out about 90 days after full bloom. The N-content was estimated by the Kjeldahl method. Total concentration of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) were also determined by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were analyzed using the flame photometry. The deviation from optimum percentage (DOP) and its correlation with the ΣDOP of macro- and micro-nutrients were used to determine the nutritional status of the studied plants.Main results: In clay loamy soil pyrodwarf rootstock, which was grafted with 'William Duchess' scion, presented a more suitable balanced nutritional index than other rootstocks/scion combinations. The OHF69 rootstock grafted with 'Daregazi' offered better balanced nutritional values in fairy lime silt-loamy soil, whereas the pyrodwarf rootstock grafted with 'Louise Bonne' scion in less lime silt-loamy soil was found to have higher values than other studied rootstocks/scion combinations in terms of nutrient concentration.Research highlights: The study determined effective solutions to the field problems of calcium carbonate equivalent which distinctly affect the soil properties related to plant growth. It also revealed the most suitable pear rootstock/scion combinations in different calcareous soil types for orchard establishment in arid and semi-arid regions