Abstract
ABSTRACT Petiole sap testing using ion-specific electrodes is a simple method that can be used to guide in-season applications of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) to vegetable crops. This method requires petiole sampling and sap extraction using a sap press. Because some vegetables are grown with foliar applications of N and/or K and because some crops have large petioles, petioles may need to be washed and/or cut before being pressed. Limited information is currently available on the effect of washing/cutting on sap-testing results. Hence, muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) petioles were used to test whether washing/cutting reduced NO3 (nitrate)-N and K concentrations and changed the subsequent interpretation of plant nutritional status. Washing for 30, 60, or 120 sec in distilled water and cutting petioles before or after washing significantly reduced sap concentrations (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04 for NO3-N and K, respectively) in seven of 12 tests when compared with the control method (petioles cut and not washed). The average concentration reductions between the control and the lowest value among all the washing/cutting treatments were 30% for NO3-N and 19% for K. These losses due to washing/cutting are likely often to change the diagnosis of nutritional status from “sufficient” to “less than sufficient” and, therefore, may suggest the need for unnecessary fertilizer applications.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Washing or cutting petioles significantly reduced sap NO3-N concentration in seven of 12 tests versus cut, unwashed controls.
- Taxon
- muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)e0
- Organ / stage
- petiolese1
- Treatment
- Washing for 30, 60, or 120 sec in distilled water and cutting petioles before or after washinge1
- Outcome
- NO3-Ne1
- Direction
- reducede1
- Qualifier
- in seven of 12 testse1
- Comparator
- control method (petioles cut and not washed)e1
Verbatim
e0“muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) petioles”
e1“Washing for 30, 60, or 120 sec in distilled water and cutting petioles before or after washing significantly reduced sap concentrations (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04 for NO3-N and K, respectively) in seven of 12 tests when compared with the control method (petioles cut and not washed)”
Claim · model-written summary
Washing or cutting petioles significantly reduced sap K concentration in seven of 12 tests versus cut, unwashed controls.
- Taxon
- muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill)e0
- Organ / stage
- petiolese1
- Treatment
- Washing for 30, 60, or 120 sec in distilled water and cutting petioles before or after washinge1
- Outcome
- Ke1
- Direction
- reducede1
- Qualifier
- in seven of 12 testse1
- Comparator
- control method (petioles cut and not washed)e1
Verbatim
e0“muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) petioles”
e1“Washing for 30, 60, or 120 sec in distilled water and cutting petioles before or after washing significantly reduced sap concentrations (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04 for NO3-N and K, respectively) in seven of 12 tests when compared with the control method (petioles cut and not washed)”
Claim · model-written summary
Across treatments, the lowest NO3-N concentration averaged 30% below the control.
Verbatim
e0“muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) petioles”
e1“The average concentration reductions between the control and the lowest value among all the washing/cutting treatments were 30% for NO3-N and 19% for K”
Claim · model-written summary
Across treatments, the lowest K concentration averaged 19% below the control.
Verbatim
e0“muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) petioles”
e1“The average concentration reductions between the control and the lowest value among all the washing/cutting treatments were 30% for NO3-N and 19% for K”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors judged that washing and cutting losses may shift a nutritional diagnosis from sufficient to less than sufficient, suggesting unnecessary fertilization.
Verbatim
e0“muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) petioles”
e1“These losses due to washing/cutting are likely often to change the diagnosis of nutritional status from “sufficient” to “less than sufficient” and, therefore, may suggest the need for unnecessary fertilizer applications”
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See all 11 papers →processing · nutrient: content · Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper)Results agree
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pruning · nutrient: content · Capsicum annuum (sweet pepper)Results agree
1 paper in the same direction as this paper
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Claims are grouped by organism, treatment and what was measured or targeted. A paper counts as positive when any of its claims in the group is positive.