VISUAL SYMPTOMS AND CHLOROPHYLL PRODUCTION OF <em>AILANTHUS</em> <em>TRIPHYSA</em> SEEDLINGS IN RESPONSE TO NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY

Abstract

A study was conducted at the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, to find out the effect of deficiency of various nutrient elements on the visual symptoms and chlorophyll production of Ailanthus triphysa seedlings. To induce deficiency of nutrient elements, namely N, P, K, Mg and S, sand culture experiments were carried out under controlled conditions inside a glasshouse. The chlorophyll concentration of the leaves was found to be significantly influenced by the deficiency of various nutrient elements, especially during the fourth and sixth months. The amounts of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll decreased gradually during the study period for all the treatments . This also concurred with the advancement of visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency. The reduction in all fractions of chlorophyll concentration in the leaves with the advancement of chlorotic symptoms, particularly due to nitrogen and magnesium deficiencies, was very pronounced in the present study.