Effects of foliar nitrogen, potassium and magnesium concentrations on the resistance of Scots pine seedlings to Scleroderris canker infection

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Abstract
Pinus sylvestris seedlings were grown in quartz sand and N, K and Mg were given in different ratios with the irrigation water. After growing season 50 % of the seedlings were inoculated with a conidial suspension of Gremmeniella abietina. The resistance of the seedlings to infection was studied by measuring the reduction of needle retention. K deficiency reduced the resistance. However, the effect of K was dependent on the amount of irradiance available in growth chamber after winter dormancy. In addition, deficient foliar K and Mg concentrations in combination, reduced the resistance of seedlings to infection.