Estimation of the macro- and micronutrient status of raspberries grown in the Lublin region

Environmental monitoring was conducted in the Lublin region in 2009-2012 aimed at the assessment of the supply of several macro- and micronutrients in raspberries plants. The plantations studied were located in eight main regions for the growing of raspberries (Bełżyce, Chodel, Godziszów, Kraśnik, Lublin, Międzyrzec Podlaski, Opole Lubelskie and Urzędów). The contents of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and boron (B) were determined in raspberry leaves. Furthermore, the impact of select soil properties on the content of essential elements in the leaves was assessed. The results obtained revealed the suitable N, P, K, Mg, B, Zn and Cu supplies in the plants. However, the mean content of Mn greatly exceeded the optimal level recommended for this species. Also, the content of Fe in some regions was above the optimal value. The calculated correlation coefficients between soil properties and the content of the elements in raspberry leaves suggest that these variables were interdependent in only a few cases.