Spectral features associated with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium deficiencies in Eucalyptus saligna seedling leaves

Abstract

Nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) deficiency symptoms were induced in Eucalyptus saligna seedlings. Leaves of these seedlings were measured radiometricaly in order to characterize spectrally the symptoms. It was used the SPECTRON SE-590, linked to a LICOR integrating sphere, running at 0.4 to 0.09 mu m spectral range. The results indicated that only the symptoms related with K deficiency could be spectrally detected in the visible region. The time lag from the beginning of the experiment was fundamental to characterize the symptoms, due to the synergism of the symptoms related with mineral deficiencies. The SPECTRON SE-590 fine spectral resolution proved unnecessary to spectrally characterize the symptoms.