The influence of eleven cherry rootstocks on the mineral leap content of major nutrients in 'Stella' and 'Ulster' sweet cherries

The mineral concentrations of N, P, K, Mg and Ca of mid-shoot leaves of two sweet cherry cultivars ('Stella', 'Ulster') on eleven rootstocks were studied over three years (1993-95). The results obtained showed that cherry rootstocks significantly influenced the leaf nutrient levels of the scion cultivars; trees on Colt had significantly lower K and N and higher Ca and Mg concentrations in the leaves than those of trees on the control rootstocks (Charger, F 12/1). The same results were obtained with the very dwarfing Inmil, except for N; trees on Inmil showed no reduction in leaf N compared to the controls. Trees on Weiroot 10, Weiroot 13, Gisela 5 and Gisela 10 had leaf Ca concentrations below the optimal range of 1.0-1.50 percent Ca of leaf dry matter. Trees on these rootstocks deviated significantly from the leaf Ca concentrations of the controls. The leaf P concentrations of trees on seven out of nine rootstocks (Colt, Camil, Inmil, Weiroot 10, Gisela 1, Gisela 5 and Gisela 10) were significantly lower than those of the control rootstocks. Trees on the very dwarfing Gisela 1 had low concentrations of all major nutrients in the leaves, most likely because of severe symptoms of incompatibility between scion and rootstock.