Is visual diagnosis reliable method for determining iron and manganese

deficiency on apple leaves when compared with chemical analysis?

ANTONIO VIDUKA1*, TOMISLAV KARAŽIJA1, GORAN FRUK1, MARTINA SKENDROVIĆ BABOJELIĆ1,
ANA MARIJA ANTOLKOVIĆ1, REA VRTODUŠIĆ1, MIHAELA ŠATVAR VRBANČIĆ1, ZORAN GRGIĆ1, MARKO PETEK1
1University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Nutrition, Svetošimunska cesta 25, Zagreb, Croatia *(aviduka@agr.hr)

AIM OF THE STUDY:

1. To determine the reliability of visual diagnosis compared to results of chemical analysis.
2. Does symptom of iron deficiency mask the symptom of manganese deficiency?
3. Is there a correlation between leaf content of these two microelements?

INTRODUCTION:
• Visual diagnosis is the most basic method of assessing the nutritional status of a plant
• Visual diagnosis is based on visual observation of color changes on leaves and characteristic changes (morphological, coloristic) on fruits
• Except visual diagnosis, conducting chemical analysis is needed to draw definitive conclusions about the nutritional status of a plant

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

• Intensive apple orchard Visual Sampling of plant Chemical
diagnosis material (leaves) analysis
• Location: Ribnica, near city of Velika
Gorica, Croatia 3rd STEP
1st STEP 2nd STEP

Young leaves

• From each shoot 3 samples Middle-aged leaves

• 3 apple shoots with iron deficiency symptom collected were taken:
• Young leaves Old leaves
• Middle-aged leaves
• Old leaves
Apple shoot – sampling parts

RESULTS:
Table 1. Chemical analysis Table 2. Chemical analysis Table 3. Chemical analysis
results – first shoot results – second shoot results – third shoot
mg mg mg mg mg mg
Fe/kg Mn/kg Fe/kg Mn/kg Fe/kg Mn/kg
DW DW DW DW DW DW
YOUNG YOUNG YOUNG
38.9 15.8 30.1 12.5 LEAVES
34.3 11.0
LEAVES LEAVES
MIDDLE- MIDDLE- MIDDLE-
AGED 41.4 12.8 AGED 41.7 8.7 AGED 45.3 7.1
LEAVES LEAVES LEAVES
OLD OLD OLD
50.2 9.1 47.5 6.7 LEAVES
57.5 8.3
LEAVES LEAVES

Visual diagnosis: Visual diagnosis: Visual diagnosis:

• Young leaves and middle-aged leaves • All leaves have iron • All leaves have iron
have iron deficiency symptom deficiency symptom deficiency symptom

Optimal values for apple leaf content according Optimal values for apple leaf content according
to Bergmann (1992): 40-400 mg Fe/kg DW to Bergmann (1992): 20-200 mg Mn/kg DW

• The correlation coefficient (r) between iron and manganese leaf content is - 0.59

CONCLUSION:
1. Visual diagnosis proved to be correct and reliable in case of iron
2. Chemical analysis showed manganese deficiency as well - iron deficiency symptom masked manganese deficiency
3. The correlation between iron and manganese leaf content was moderate and negative

V Balkan Symposium on Fruit Growing, Zagreb, Croatia, June 18-21, 2023