
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Williams, CMJ 
A1  - Maier, NA 
T1  - Assessment of the nitrogen and potassium status of irrigated Brussels sprouts (<I>Brassica oleracea</I> L. var. <I>gemmifera</I>) by plant analysis
JF  - Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
JO  - Aust. J. Exp. Agric.
Y1  - 1996
VL  - 36
IS  - 7
SP  - 887
EP  - 895
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9960887 
N2  - Four field experiments were carried out during 1992-93 (sites 1 and 2) and 1993-94 (sites 3 and 4) to assess the effects of nitrogen (N), at rates up to 600 kgha, and potassium (K), at rates up to 300 kgha, on total N, nitrate-N and K concentrations in petioles of the youngest fully expanded leaves (P-YFEL) of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera). The experiments were located in commercial plantings in the Mt Lofty Ranges, South Australia. Plant samples were collected at 2-4-week intervals from 4 to 28 weeks after the plants were transplanted. Temporal or seasonal variation, and the effects on concentrations of total N, nitrate-N and K of sampling leaves next in age (YFEL-1 to YFEL+2) to the index leaf, were also studied. Total N concentration in P-YFEL was more sensitive to variations in N supply than nitrate-N at all sites. Total N and nitrate-N concentrations in petioles also varied with the age of the leaf sampled. Total N concentrations in petioles of leaves sampled 4-16 weeks after transplanting decreased with increasing leaf age. In contrast, nitrate-N concentrations in petioles sampled 4-8 weeks after transplanting increased with leaf age. Potassium concentrations in petioles did not vary consistently between leaves of different age. From 4 to 6 weeks after transplanting, relationships between total N or nitrate-N concentrations in P-YFEL and relative total yield were not significant (P>0.05), therefore, critical concentrations could not be determined. Linear and quadratic models were used to study the relationships between total N and nitrate-N concentration in P-YFEL and relative total yield during 8-28 weeks after transplanting. Total N concentrations accounted for a greater amount of variation in relative total yield at 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24 and 28 weeks after transplanting compared with nitrate-N. Coefficients of determination (r2) were in the range 0.52-0.93. Relationships between nitrate-N concentration in P-YFEL and relative total yield were only significant 8, 10, 14 and 16 weeks after transplanting and 9 values were in the range 0.49-0.82. Critical concentrations for total N decreased from 3.13-3.44% at 10 weeks to 1.22-1.38% at 28 weeks after transplanting. This decrease highlights the importance of carefully defining sampling time to ensure correct interpretation of plant test data. Potassium concentrations also decreased between 4 and 28 weeks after transplanting. Critical concentrations were not determined for K, because the crops at all sites did not respond significantly (P>0.05) to applied K. Based on sensitivity (as indicated by the range in tissue concentrations in response to variations in N supply) and on the correlations between total N and nitrate-N concentrations and relative total yield, we concluded that total N was better than nitrate-N as an indicator of plant N status and yield response of Brussels sprouts. We suggested that growers sample P-YFEL several times during the growing season, starting 10 weeks after transplanting. Plant analysis can be used to monitor N status and to detect N deficiencies which may arise during the growing season of Brussels sprouts which may be up to 9 months duration. Growers can adjust their fertiliser N program to ensure deficiencies are quickly corrected. 
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