Abstract
A field experiment was carried out to standardize the foliar sampling techniques in cherry cv. Stella grown under sub-mountain zone of Himachal Pradesh during 2008-2009. The nutrient composition of tissue undergoes variable changes as the season advances. The concentration of N, P and K in cherry leaves declines with the leaf position on the shoot besipetally, being maximum in the terminal leaves (2.44, 0.23 and 2.70 per cent, respectively) minimum in the basal leaves (2.10, 0.18 and 1.99 per cent, respectively) and intermediate in the middle leaves (2.26,0.20 and 2.42 per cent, respectively). However Ca and Mg content of cherry leaves follow a reverse trend, maximum in basal leaves (2.33 and 0.78 per cent) intermediate in middle leaves (2.29 and 0.73 per cent) and minimum in the terminal leaves(2.13 and 0.72 per cent). Chemical changes in the concentration of N and K of the leaves from different position on shoot showed almost similar trend, these increased early in the season from May 15 to June 15 and thereafter, decreased with the advancement of leaf age. The nutrient stability period was observed between June 15 to July 15 for N and K in case of middle leaves (2.53 - 2.44 per cent and 2.69- 2.67 per cent, respectively). Leaf P content of cherry exhibited a decreasing trend throughout the sampling period and stability period was observed between June 15 to July 15 (0.23-0.21 per cent) from middle leaves. Leaf Ca and Mg content followed a reverse trend and increased steadily throughout the growing season showing nutrient stability period between June 15 to July 15. Thus middle leaves from current season growth from June 15 to July 15 when the leaves were 2.5-3.5 months old were most suitable for leaf analysis in respect of macro-nutrients. However for Ca the stability increased from June 15 to August15,