Mineral Nutrient Deficiencies and Nutrient Interactions in Pomegranate

An effort was made to identify effects of specific nutrient deficiency on shoot-root biomass, nutrient interaction and visual symptoms in pomegranate cv. Bhagwa (Punica granatum L). The experiment was conducted using sand culture in a green house, with 13 treatments as individual omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, B, Mo and one full nutrient strength solution as control in a completely randomised design. Due to deficiency of different nutrients, the dry matter accumulation of leaves, stem and roots significantly varied from 11.1 to 19.1, 22.2 to 30.9 and 11.9 to 16.9 g, respectively. Plants with N and P deficiencies recorded substantial decrease in total biomass while Ca in root biomass of the plant. Nutrient content was more stable in stem than leaf. Nutrient interaction revealed that phosphorus was the most influential nutrient and its deficiency adversely affected the uptake of many nutrients viz. N, K, Ca, Mg and Mn. Similarly, deficiency of boron in stem adversely affected the uptake of Ca, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn nutrients in the stem of pomegranate plant. Visual deficiency symptoms of different nutrients were identified, documented and described.