Effect of leaf position on nutrients composition in Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

The present study was conducted to explicate the influence of leaflets position on nutrients composition for two commercially growing litchi cultivars ‘calcuttia’ and ‘dehradun’ under sub mountane zone of sub tropics in north India. Samples of leaves were collected in March (September-October flush) from tagged branches after panicle emergence starting from 1st leaflet pair position to 6th leaflet pair from the terminal apex of the shoot. The collected leaf samples were analyzed for N, P, K, Mg, ca, Fe, Zn, cu and Mn concentrations on dry weight basis. Primary macro (N, P, K) leaf nutrients gradually decreased; whereas, secondary nutrients (ca, Mg) were increased in leaflet pair starting from top of the shoot to the lowest pairlet. Among the micro-nutrients, concentrations of Fe and Mn, increased from apex to basal leaflet pair while leaf Zn was decreased. Leaf Cu content showed inconsistent trends with respect to position of pair of leaflets. Wide fluctuations were observed among leaf micro-nutrients content and ‘dehradun’ litchi cultivar possessed higher mean concentrations of leaf nutrients than ‘calcuttia’ cultivar. In general, about 5–6 months old leaves, positioned at 2nd or 3rd pair of leaflet from the shoot apex should be collected in March to assess the leaf indexing in litchi cultivars under northern India conditions.