Effects of pottasium and magnesium on leaf and bark nutrient contents of young Hevea brasiliensis

Abstract

Leaf and bark analyses provide evidence of uptake of K and Mg from applied K and Mg fertilisers respectively. Efficiency of uptake appears to have however been influenced by the level of applied K and Mg, pre - treatment K and Mg content of the soil and sources of Mg. Significant antagonistic effects between K and Mg fertilisers on leaf K and Mg have been recorded. Both K and Mg fertilisers were also found to decrease the Ca content in the leaf except when dolomite was used as the source of Mg. It appears that bark analyses could also be used as a tool for indicating the K and Mg status of young Hevea plants