LEAF ANALYSIS AND PLANT NUTRITION

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Abstract
A technique is described for studying the relations existing between the nutritional status of a plant and the N, P, and K content of its leaves. Some of the factors other than nutrition which influence leaf composition are described with their bearing on leaf sampling. The importance of using rapid chemical methods which permit analysis of a large number of samples is emphasized, and it is shown from statistical analysis that these methods need only attain a moderate standard of accuracy. A series of factorial pot experiments is described in which the interactions of the 3 nutrients N, P, and K are studied in relation to leaf composition. In a series of field experiments, the leaf composition and growth rate of seedling rubber are shown to be correlated. In mature rubber, similar relations exist. Latex yield is shown to be correlated especially with leaf N, and under certain conditions both are depressed by phos-phatic fertilization. The effect of phosphates on the penetration of ammonia N into the soil is shown to be very marked. This is held to support the theory that the depression of N absorption by phosphatic fertilization is primarily a soil phenomenon.

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