J. Benton Storey

The analysis of pecan leaves by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The analysis of plant tissue, generally leaves, is considered to be an important step in diagnosing and confirming a mineral element deficiency. The mineral element status of the plant can be accurately measured by the analysis of plant tissue if the tissue is properly sampled. Tissue analysis is often the best indication for recommending fertilizer or supporting nutrient spray treatments. The development of a relatively fast and accurate method of analyzing plant tissue has been made possible with the advent of atomic absorption spectroscopic techniques.

Effectiveness of three different zinc fertilizers and two methods of application for the control of “little‐leaf’ in peach trees in south texas

Abstract Fall soil treatments of ZnEDTA and ZnSO4 at three increasing rates of 32.2, 64.4, and 128.8 g Zn/tree, and one, two, or three spring foliar treatments of NZN (0.35 g Zn/tree application) replicated four times in a randomized complete block design were tested to find the most effective Zn source, method and rate of application, and economical method for controlling Zn deficiency in three year old ‘Earligrande’ peach trees from 1989 to 1990. The Zn fertilizers had no statistical influence on the soil pH change. The high rates of ZnSO4, NZN, and ZnEDTA produced equal chlorophyll contents and had no statistical difference in tree appearance. Neither those trees which received three foliar applications of NZN nor those that received the high ZnEDTA soil treatment showed Zn‐deficiency symptoms other than a few chlorotic leaves on top of the trees as a result of Zn being a non‐mobile element. A fourth NZN application, or a delay in initiation of the three NZN spray schedule, would be necessary to compen...