Effect of tree pruning intensity on the content of mineral components in the sour cherry leaves of ‘Łutówka’

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of' tree pruning intensity on the content of nutrients in leaves of the ‘Łutówka’ sour cherry cultivar (Prunus cerasus L.). Between 2006 and 2010 an experiment with different tree pruning intensity was carried out. The study material consisted of first- class one-year old budded plants of the ‘Łutówka’ cultivar IR2 type, on Prunus mahaleb rootstock. The plants were planted in the spring of 2001 (orchard 1) and 2002 (orchard 2) and spaced at 4.0 × 1.3 m², giving a total of 1.920 trees ha⁻¹. Three pruning regimes were applied in the plantation: 1) no pruning; (only sanitation felling was applied), 2) moderate traditional pruning - branches were shortened, 3) intensive pruning by removing branches older than three years. The cherry tree pruning intensity significantly influenced the content of mineral components in leaves. The content of N increased, whereas the content of Ca and Mg decreased. The maximum temperatures at the beginning of the growth period had particularly beneficial effect on the P and K content. Chilly and dry spring limited the P and K content in the plants. The content of minerals in sour cherry leaves depended on the age of trees.