The aims of study were to evaluate growth and characterize the visual symptoms of macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies in mangosteens. The seedlings were cultivated in nutritive solution containing all required macronutrient and micronutrients and in solutions with omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, using the missing element technique. The experimental design was completely randomized with five replicates and twelve treatments. Symptoms of nutrient deficiency were accompanied by photographic records and described from beginning until complete definition, in which the plants were c ollected. Growth was evaluated through of dry mass production and nutrient contents. Nutrients omissions resulted in morphological alterations, characteristic symptoms of nutritional deficiency, promoted the reduction in dry mass production in plant, in which the Fe was most limiting, followed by N, and S. Macronutrients and micronutrients contents, without deficiencies (complete treatment) and deficient in mangosteen leaves were respectively: N (16.4 and 12.5 g kg - 1 ); P (1.1 and 0.2 g kg - 1 ); K (10.2 and 8.1 g kg - 1 ); Ca (6.7 and 1.9 g kg - 1 ); Mg (1.1 and 0.1 g kg - 1 ); S (3.0 and 2.2 g kg - 1 ); B (20 and 16 mg kg - 1 ); Cu (7 a nd 3 mg kg - 1 ); Fe (266 and 86 mg kg - 1 ); Mn (58 and 17 mg kg - 1 ). The decreasing order in appearance of visual symptoms of deficiency w as N > S > K > B > Ca > P > Mg > Mn > Cu > Zn.
The Amazon region presents favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for development of production systems with tropical fruits, among the species of economic interest the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) has been highlighted, due to interest of national and international consumer markets. Belonging to Clusiaceae family, native to Southeast Asia, the mangosteen has been considered by many as “fruit queen” by its incomparable flavor and aroma, cultivated in tropical countries of Africa, Central America, South America and the United States. In Brazil it was introduced in Bahia State (year 1935) and later in Pará State (year 1942) [
The mangosteen fruit has a high pharmacological potential, the bark of fruit when sectioned develops a substance similar to resin, rich in pectin and with high combinations of polyphenols contents [
The high pharmacological and economic potential of mangosteen fruit has promoted the conquest of new frontiers, providing the need for further studies in several areas that constitute the productive chain, among which those are related to nutritional aspects. Information on nutritional requirements of plants is important to know the actual demand of each nutrient, determining the correct amounts of fertilizers to be applied.
Thus, the missing element technique provides information related to nutritional disorders, excess and deficiencies, in decreased vegetative development and crop yield, detected by visual symptoms of deficiency, more pronounced in the leaves.
The development of a database with photographs and detailed descriptions of symptoms in nutritional deficiencies specific to plant species contributes to successful evaluation of technician or farmer. Although there is a description in literature of symptoms of nutrient deficiency, the expression of nutritional disorders varies interspecies and intraspecies [
Depending on plant species, the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies are shown with some peculiarities [
In mangosteen culture, the studies developed do not contemplate the symptoms of macronutrients and micronutrients and description of evolution of symptoms. Thus, the aims of study were to evaluate the effect of omission of macronutrients and micronutrients on growth, visual symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and mineral composition in mangosteen plants.
Seeds were obtained from matrices originating from Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém city, Pará State, Brazil, in which were washed for purpose of removing the pulp, and later sowed in a bed containing sand and sawdust mixture in a ratio of 3:1. Thirty days after sowing before the appearance of first two leaves, plants were transferred into black plastic bags with dimensions of 15 cm (width) × 25 cm (height), containing mixture of black earth, sawdust, and cattle manure in a ratio of 3:1:1, showing the following chemical characteristics: pH H 2 O 8.10; 53.00% (organic matter); 1.78% (N-total); 0.54% (P2O5); 1.07% (K2O); 16.10 (C/N ratio); 2.96% (CaO); 0.48% (MgO); and 0.34% (S).
The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, Belém city, Pará State, Brazil, during 200 days under greenhouse conditions with temperatures varying from 25˚C to 30˚C. Experimental design was a completely randomized design, with four replications and twelve treatments: nutritive solution containing all required macronutrient and micronutrients and in solutions with omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, using the missing element technique, totaling 48 experimental plots.
At 10 months, when the plants reached approximately 20 cm in height, in which the roots were washed with distilled water to remove possible residues from the substrate, and then transplanted into the plastic pots with 10 L capacity, with a perforated base in order to facilitate the disposal and replacement of nutrient solution being used in experiment.
Plants were acclimatized for 60 days in Bolle-Jones [
Nutrient solution were provided by percolation in plastic pots, with capacity for 10 L and renewed at 15 days. Daily, monitoring was carried out at solution level in collection bottles, completing them for 1 L per plant, when necessary adding distilled water.
During the experiment were collected leaf samples and description of symptoms
Solution | Treatments | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conc. | Complete | -N | -P | -K | -Ca | -Mg | -S | -B | |
NaH2O4 | M | 1.0 | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
Ca(NO3)2∙4H2O | M | 2.0 | - | 2.0 | 2.0 | - | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
KNO3 | M | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | - | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
K2SO4 | M | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | - | 2.0 | 3.0 | - | 2.0 |
MgSO4 | 0.5 M | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | - | - | 2.5 |
(NH4)2SO4 | M | 1.5 | - | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 | - | 1.5 |
CaSO4∙2H2O | 0.01 M | - | 200.0 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
KH2PO4 | M | - | 1.0 | - | - | - | 1.0 | 1.0 | - |
Mg(NO3)2 | 0.5M | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2.5 | - |
NaNO3 | M | - | - | 1.0 | - | - | - | - | - |
Solution A* | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | a -B | |
Solution Fe-EDTA** | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
*Composition of solution A: 141.2 mg de H3BO3; 1750.0 mg de MnSO4; 250.0 mg de CuSO4∙5H2O; 43.1 mg de MoO3; 287.0 mg de ZnSO4∙7H2O, per liter of solution. **Composition of solution Fe-EDTA: 26.1 g de Na2-EDTA; 89.2 g de NaOHN e 24.0 g de FeSO4∙7H2O, per liter of solution.
through photographs, until maximum visible manifestation of nutrient deficiency. Each plant was divided in leaves, stems, and roots and then dried in an oven with forced air circulation at 70˚C until reaching a constant mass. After, the samples were processed in a Willey mill for further chemical analysis of macronutrients and micronutrients levels in leaves, stems, and roots, according to methodology described by Malavolta [
To calculate the relative growth rate (RGR) was used the equation:
RGR ( % ) = ( D .M .O .N . D .M .C .T . ) × 100
D.M.O.N. = dry mass of plant with nutrition omission;
D.M.C.T. = dry mass of plant in complete treatment.
Macronutrient and micronutrient levels in leaves, stems, and roots were submitted to analysis of variance, and means of treatments with omission of nutrients were compared with complete treatment using Dunnet test, at 5% probability, using the Assistat Software Version 7.7 [
Visual symptoms of nitrogen deficiency manifested 18th days after the beginning of omission. Initially, older leaves gradually lost their green color from basal area, becoming yellow-green (
The absorbed nitrogen is easily distributed in plants by phloem, in form of amino acids, thus, in deficiency the N of old leaves is redistributed to new leaves and organs of plants [
Nitrogen omission interrupted the emission of new leaves, reducing the plant height (
The older leaves deficient in phosphorus showed dark green and bright coloration compared to complete treatment (
The symptoms of potassium deficiency in mangosteen began with marginal chlorosis in older leaves, from the apex, expanding to central part between the veins, according to development of deficiency the leaf limb showed chlorosis, with necrosis on margins and leaf apices (
Potassium deficient plants show paralysis in process of translocation of photoassimilates to drains, resulting in accumulation of carbohydrates in leaf tissue [
Calcium deficiency symptoms promote plant abnormalities, markedly characterized by reduced plant height and younger leaves, initially chlorosis along margins, remaining green leaf limb, however with intensity of deficiency results in an increase in chlorotic ranges (
Calcium in plant tissue is characterized by low mobility, with limited redistribution in phloem [
The symptoms of magnesium deficiency in mangosteen were observed in older leaves of middle part of plant, with appearance of chlorosis between the veins from apex to center, remaining at base of green leaf (
Evolution of Mg deficiency promoted leaf senescence, reduced plant height and reduced number and size of mangosteen leaves (
Sulfur-deficient in mangosteen plants showed on new leaves symptoms of yellowish-green coloration, with a lighter shade of color compared to leaves of complete treatment (
Symptoms of sulfur deficiency characterized by yellowing of younger leaves were observed in fruit trees, Annona muricata [
Boron: Boron deficiency in mangosteen was characterized by showing yellowish new leaves, twisted, atrophied, small, and thick leaves (
Copper: Copper deficiency initially manifested with yellowing of new leaves with pale green coloration between the veins. With increased symptoms, leaves showed deformed, narrow, with progression to central part (
Iron: Iron deficiency symptoms were first to manifest, less than 15th days after initiation of treatments, showing that mangosteen is sensitive to iron deficiency. In leaf the symptoms were characterized by chlorosis in new leaves, veins with fine reticulate and yellowish background, remaining green vein. With increased deficiency, in plant observed an increase in number of shoots, while leaf showed completely yellowish, including vein, then necrosis from apex to center of leaf (
Iron in plant has function of maintaining the functional and structural integrity of thylakoid membrane, as well as essential for ferredoxin and chlorophyll biosynthesis, justifying high sensitivity of chloroplasts (chlorosis) and thylakoids to iron deficiency [
Manganese: The initial symptom of manganese deficiency in mangosteen was yellowing between veins with thick reticulate in newer leaves and bands of green tissue surrounding main vein. With evolution of symptoms of deficiency, leaves showed with chlorosis and smaller size. In general, manganese-deficient showed changes in chloroplasts with disarray of thylakoid cells and absence of stromal lamellae, since chloroplasts (site of occurrence of photosynthetic process) are organelles most sensitive to micronutrient deficiency [
Zinc: Small and thin leaves with chlorotic areas between veins were symptoms of zinc deficiencies observed in new leaves of mangosteen (
With exception of zinc omission (in all variables) and copper omission (RDM and LDM) (
were iron, nitrogen, and sulfur. The reduction in total dry mass production with omission of nutrients were 94% (-Fe), 93% (-N), and 87% (-S).
According to Marschner [
The production of total dry mass in absolute values showed the following limiting order: Fe > N > S > K > B > Ca > P > Mg > Mn > Cu > Zn. Based on
Treatment | LDM | SDM | RDM | APDM | AP/R | TDM | RGR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
g plant−1 | |||||||
C | 102.24 | 92.37 | 51.59 | 194.62 | 3.79 | 246.22 | 100.00 |
-N | 9.26- | 5.18- | 3.97- | 14.44- | 3.66ns | 18.42- | 7.48- |
-P | 28.32- | 20.10- | 33.23- | 48.42- | 1.45- | 81.65- | 33.17- |
-K | 15.56- | 14.23- | 16.37- | 29.80- | 1.90- | 46.18- | 18.77- |
-Ca | 36.02- | 19.22- | 24.52- | 55.24- | 2.26- | 79.77- | 32.40- |
-Mg | 37.90- | 26.78- | 21.24- | 65.18- | 3.09ns | 86.42- | 35.12- |
-S | 17.84- | 8.26- | 5.99- | 26.97- | 4.58ns | 32.96- | 13.39- |
-B | 26.26- | 25.96- | 19.76- | 52.23- | 2.67- | 71.99- | 29.22- |
-Cu | 100.39ns | 77.93- | 51.31ns | 178.33- | 3.48ns | 229.64- | 93.29- |
-Fe | 7.62- | 3.67- | 2.77- | 11.30- | 4.12ns | 14.07- | 5.71- |
-Mn | 63.53- | 41.41- | 36.98- | 104.94- | 2.86ns | 141.93- | 57.64- |
-Zn | 103.44ns | 88.68ns | 56.11ns | 192.13ns | 3.43ns | 248.24ns | 100.81ns |
DMS | 5.09 | 5.86 | 5.70 | 9.77 | 0.79 | 11.98 | 4.96 |
CV% | 5.46 | 8.14 | 10.35 | 5.90 | 12.56 | 5.43 | 5.53 |
+Significant and higher than complete treatment, by Dunnett test, at a 5% probability level; −Significant and less than complete treatment, by Dunnett test, at a 5% probability level; nsNot significant, by Dunnett test, at a 5% probability level.
complete treatment, highest dry mass production occurred on the leaves, followed by stem and roots.
The individual omissions of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, and Mn reduced the leaf level of their respective nutrient compared to complete treatment. The leaf level of boron also reduced with omission of micronutrient, but not significantly compared to complete treatment. Zinc omission showed a zinc leaf level similar to complete treatment.
Macronutrient level in complete treatment were in order N > K > Ca > S > P = Mg and, in micronutrients Fe > Mn > B > Zn > Cu. Based on leaves levels of macronutrients and micronutrients in mangosteens, following values are obtained in a first approximation: non-deficient (complete) and deficient (omission) values, respectively: N (16.4 and 12.5 g kg−1); P (1.1 and 0.2 g kg−1); K (10.2 and 8.1 g kg−1); Ca (6.7 and 1.9 g kg−1); Mg (1.1 and 0.1 g kg−1); S (3.0 and 2.2 g kg−1); B (20 and 16 mg kg−1); Cu (7 and 3 mg kg−1); Fe (266 and 86 mg kg−1); Mn (58 and 17 mg kg−1) (
The individual omissions of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn, and Fe reduced stem level of their respective nutrient compared to complete treatment, other omissions
Leaves | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | P | K | Ca | Mg | S | B | Cu | Fe | Mn | Zn | |
g kg−1 | mg kg−1 | ||||||||||
C | 16.47 | 1.15 | 10.20 | 6.67 | 1.17 | 3.05 | 20.40 | 7.08 | 266.02 | 57.97 | 12.86 |
-N | 12.50- | 1.15ns | 7.35- | 6.35ns | 1.70+ | 2.42- | 116.26+ | 8.25ns | 116.33- | 117.97+ | 23.47+ |
-P | 13.90- | 0.20- | 8.10- | 5.20- | 0.70- | 2.65ns | 33.34- | 6.39ns | 57.06- | 61.59ns | 11.02ns |
-K | 17.12+ | 2.42+ | 1.70- | 5.97- | 1.90+ | 3.37ns | 36.75- | 8.76ns | 60.51- | 80.73+ | 21.86+ |
-Ca | 17.25+ | 0.87ns | 7.95- | 1.92- | 1.12ns | 3.02ns | 25.89ns | 5.09ns | 33.09- | 58.63ns | 13.82+ |
-Mg | 15.82- | 1.30ns | 9.75ns | 6.05ns | 0.15- | 2.40- | 26.91+ | 7.42ns | 47.47- | 93.02+ | 16.80+ |
-S | 14.75- | 0.77ns | 12.45+ | 6.25ns | 0.65- | 2.17- | 53.80+ | 4.38- | 80.78- | 55.94ns | 12.41ns |
-B | 15.57- | 1.20ns | 7.40- | 5.40- | 0.52- | 2.22- | 15.17ns | 6.59ns | 58.66- | 82.96+ | 13.93ns |
-Cu | 14.27ns | 1.30ns | 9.15ns | 6.00ns | 1.02ns | 2.85ns | 17.19ns | 3.19- | 57.34- | 45.86- | 11.04ns |
-Fe | 22.05+ | 2.67+ | 12.00+ | 9.20+ | 0.75- | 3.50+ | 118.13+ | 9.18ns | 86.04- | 140.2- | 45.66+ |
-Mn | 15.55- | 1.22ns | 8.85- | 6.32- | 1.02ns | 2.90ns | 21.70ns | 6.78ns | 74.88- | 17.37- | 14.46ns |
-Zn | 14.07ns | 1.27ns | 7.60- | 5.72- | 1.00ns | 2.90ns | 18.24ns | 4.63- | 59.76- | 46.29ns | 12.26ns |
DMS | 1.89 | 0.67 | 1.51 | 0.68 | 0.24 | 0.41 | 6.27 | 2.24 | 26.56 | 11.97 | 2.89 |
CV% | 7.13 | 25.35 | 8.67 | 5.63 | 12.15 | 7.29 | 7.32 | 16.97 | 15.65 | 8.20 | 8.11 |
Stems | |||||||||||
C | 11.47 | 1.60 | 11.30 | 3.50 | 0.32 | 1.95 | 15.51 | 8.30 | 18.01 | 13.32 | 11.16 |
-N | 8.30- | 1.52ns | 4.60- | 6.62+ | 1.10+ | 1.95ns | 34,54+ | 12.89+ | 64.77+ | 12.56ns | 20.89+ |
-P | 8.57- | 0.20- | 4.60- | 6.8+ | 0.65+ | 2.42+ | 22.79+ | 7.05ns | 40.67+ | 15.51ns | 15.05+ |
-K | 19.12+ | 3.62+ | 1.75- | 5.92+ | 1.37+ | 3.92+ | 20.76+ | 16.03+ | 60.49+ | 21.17+ | 25.02+ |
-Ca | 17.95+ | 2.37+ | 6.60- | 1.05- | 0.77+ | 3.35+ | 15.18ns | 8.57ns | 57.49+ | 25.96+ | 19.59+ |
-Mg | 15.30+ | 2.17+ | 6.60- | 5.57+ | 0.10- | 2.95+ | 15.33ns | 9.24ns | 35.84+ | 22.96+ | 20.85+ |
-S | 11.75ns | 1.47ns | 7.20- | 7.42+ | 0.80+ | 1.62ns | 44.21+ | 8.32ns | 58.53+ | 7.50- | 15.05+ |
-B | 16.85+ | 1.37ns | 7.05- | 5.40+ | 0.67+ | 3.17+ | 13.07ns | 16.49+ | 44.64+ | 28.56+ | 21.45+ |
-Cu | 11.22ns | 1.57ns | 10.65ns | 3.65ns | 0.35ns | 1.75ns | 15.34ns | 5.18- | 16.56ns | 11.80ns | 9.412ns |
-Fe | 15.72+ | 1.72ns | 11.10ns | 8.15+ | 0.67+ | 3.47+ | 35.68+ | 15.91+ | 44.99+ | 45.01+ | 47.23+ |
-Mn | 10.80ns | 1.40ns | 7.10- | 3.62ns | 0.37ns | 2.32+ | 21.29+ | 12.27+ | 28.14+ | 2.40- | 13.17ns |
-Zn | 9.37- | 1.42ns | 8.60- | 3.57ns | 0.30ns | 1.72- | 15.00ns | 8.07ns | 17.13ns | 10.56ns | 8.43ns |
DMS | 1.72 | 0.26 | 2.09 | 0.69 | 0.12 | 0.33 | 3.00 | 2.73 | 4.82 | 2.96 | 3.85 |
CV% | 6.46 | 7.49 | 14.13 | 6.68 | 9.43 | 6.47 | 6.58 | 12.53 | 5.82 | 8.03 | 9.98 |
Roots | |||||||||||
C | 13.12 | 6.35 | 11.85 | 3.75ns | 0.77 | 3.22 | 16.03 | 28.55 | 1516.12 | 17.79 | 64.88 |
-N | 9.00- | 3.70- | 9.90ns | 4.50+ | 0.72ns | 1.52- | 117.34+ | 24.91ns | 416.72- | 21.52ns | 68.37ns |
-P | 14.30ns | 0.30- | 12.60ns | 5.67+ | 0.72ns | 3.47ns | 26.29+ | 21.89- | 856.87- | 16.77ns | 40.63- |
-K | 16.47+ | 5.07- | 2.25- | 3.10- | 1.42+ | 2.40- | 26.69+ | 22.11- | 1394.43ns | 21.59ns | 79.67+ |
-Ca | 17.15+ | 4.37- | 8.55+ | 0.37- | 0.80ns | 2.45- | 20.77ns | 17.25- | 800.24- | 32.04+ | 45.82- |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-Mg | 14.12ns | 5.15- | 12.75ns | 4.15ns | 0.10- | 2.20- | 24.90ns | 16.34- | 1173.93- | 26.25+ | 90.45+ |
-S | 10.67- | 4.37- | 11.85ns | 4.35+ | 0.77ns | 1.32- | 105.09+ | 15.99- | 388.49- | 26.01+ | 60.27ns |
-B | 13.40ns | 4.42- | 11.85ns | 4.55+ | 0.77ns | 2.40- | 13.40ns | 21.31- | 657.49- | 26.13+ | 96.02+ |
-Cu | 11.47ns | 6.85ns | 18.00+ | 3.35ns | 0.75ns | 2.92ns | 10.30ns | 24.68ns | 1347.56ns | 18.57ns | 66.71ns |
-Fe | 14.85ns | 7.32- | 11.85ns | 4.55+ | 0.75ns | 2.60- | 105.03+ | 36.99+ | 252.75- | 34.58+ | 92.70+ |
-Mn | 10.70- | 4.87- | 13.05ns | 3.75ns | 0.55- | 2.35- | 17.03ns | 18.89- | 815.06- | 6.95- | 55.30ns |
-Zn | 11.32ns | 5.55- | 15.75+ | 3.40- | 0.85ns | 2.75ns | 14.32ns | 32.25ns | 1326.31ns | 18.26ns | 70.85ns |
DMS | 1.89 | 0.60 | 2.30 | 0.57 | 0.14 | 0.50 | 9.57 | 4.90 | 221.63 | 4.08 | 10.60 |
CV% | 7.13 | 6.09 | 9.67 | 7.37 | 9.56 | 9.98 | 11.32 | 10.25 | 11.90 | 9.01 | 7.50 |
+Significant and higher than complete treatment, by Dunnett test, at a 5% probability level; −Significant and less than complete treatment, by Dunnett test, at a 5% probability level; nsNot significant, by Dunnett test, at a 5% probability level.
did not differ. The decreasing order of macronutrient stem level of complete treatment were: N > K > Ca > S > P > Mg and, in micronutrients Fe > B > Mn > Zn > Cu. Macronutrient and micronutrient levels without deficiency (complete treatment) and deficiency (omissions) were respectively: N (11.4 and 8.3 g kg−1); P (1.6 and 0.2 g kg−1); K (11.3 and 1.7 g kg−1); Ca (3.5 and 1.0 g kg−1); Mg (0.3 and 0.1 g kg−1); S (1.9 and 1.6 g kg−1); B (15.5 and 13.0 mg kg−1); Cu (8.3 and 5.1 mg kg−1); Mn (13.3 and 2.4 mg kg−1); Zn (11.1 and 8.4 mg kg−1).
Regarding root content, omissions of all macronutrients and, Fe and Mn micronutrients reduced their respective levels, other omissions did not differ compared to complete treatment. The decreasing order of root level in macronutrients were N > K > P > Ca > S > Mg and, in micronutrients Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > B. Macronutrient and micronutrient levels without deficiency (complete treatment) and deficiency (omissions) were respectively: N (13.1 and 9.0 g kg−1); P (6.3 and 0.3 g kg−1); K (11.8 and 2.2 g kg−1); Ca (3.7 and 0.3 g kg−1); Mg (0.7 and 0.1 g kg−1); S (3.2 and 1.3 g kg−1); B (16.0 and 13.4 mg kg−1); Cu (28.5 and 24.6 mg kg−1); Fe (1516.0 and 252.7 mg kg−1); Mn (17.7 and 6.9 mg kg−1).
From results obtained in complete treatment, extracting the parts of plant observed that highest N, Ca, Mg, B, Mn, and Zn levels were obtained in leaves, while of P, K, S, Cu, Fe, and Zn in roots. Lowest levels of macronutrients and micronutrients were observed in stem because it is a nutrient transporting organ.
Mangosteen is sensitive to iron deficiency, being first nutrient to manifest the visual symptoms of deficiencies. Individual omissions of macronutrients and micronutrients in nutrient solution promote the occurrence of visual symptoms of nutritional deficiency.
Production of total dry mass is affected by nutrient omissions, with iron being most limiting, followed by N > S > K > B > Ca > P > Mg > Mn > Cu > Zn.
The individual omissions of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, and Mn result in a reduction in leaf level of respective nutrient.
The authors are grateful to Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA) for the collaborations of researchers and funding institution: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). For Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA Amazônia Oriental) and Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Pará (IFPA) for assistance in field work and all structural support.
de Jesus Matos Viégas, I., Cordeiro, R.A.M., de Almeida, G.M., Silva, D.A.S., da Silva, B.C., Okumura, R.S., da Silva Júnior, M.L., da Silva, S.P. and de Freitas, J.M.N. (2018) Growth and Visual Symptoms of Nutrients Deficiency in Mangosteens (Garcinia mangostana L.). American Journal of Plant Sciences, 9, 1014-1028. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2018.95078