Nutritional deficiency in 'Imperial' pineapple in the vegetative growth phase and leaf nutrient concentration

The pineapple nutritional supply in the vegetative phase is very important to fruit yield and quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of deficiencies of macronutrients and boron on growth, deficiency symptoms, and 'D' leaf nutrient concentration in 'Imperial' pineapple five and seven months after planting. Growth evaluation consisted of fresh and dry weights and length, width and area of 'D' leaves, which also were used for nutrient analysis. Plants were grown in sand irrigated with nutrient solution in a greenhouse. Growth parameters were not affected by the deficiencies at five months after planting but leaf number was decreased by N deficiency at seven months after planting. The concentration of all nutrients that were maintained at deficient levels was reduced in 'D' leaves, the reduction being greater at the seven-month determination. Only N deficiency caused clearly visible deficiency symptoms by the seven-month evaluation. Leaf K concentration was increased where N, Ca, and Mg were deficient. At seven months after planting leaf N concentration was reduced where P was deficient, while leaf P concentration was increased where N was deficient. Boron deficiency had no effect on the concentration of nutrients other than boron.