EFFECT OF PRUNING AND NITROGEN ON LEAF-NUTRIENT STATUS OF PEACH (PRUNUS-PERSICA)

An experiment was conducted during 1990 and 1991 to study the effect o f pruning intensity and N level on leaf-nutrient status of an 8-year-o ld 'July Elberta' peach [Prumuspersica (L.) Batsch] tree. The treatmen ts were light. medium and heavy pruning and retention of 700-750 nodes /tree. and application of N @ 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 g/tree. An in crease in pruning severity increased the content of N. K, Fe and Mn (2 .89-3.05%, 2.30-2.53%, 141.1-152.2 ppm and 166.3-182.3 ppm respectivel y) in the leaves, but decreased that of Ca and Cu (2.82-2.59% and 18.8 7-17.33 ppm respectively): and did not affect that of P. Mg and Zn. An increase in N level increased the content of N, Fe, Mn and Zn (2.87-3 .07%, 135.6-161.7 ppm 150.0-199.4 ppm and 7.59-10.00 ppm respectively) in the Leaves and decreased that of P. K, Ca and Cu (0.218-0.205%, 2. 56-2.25%, 2.89-2.49% and 19.22-16.59 ppm respectively). However, N lev el did not affect the Mg content in leaf significantly. The interactio n between pruning intensity and N level was non-significant.