Ascophyllum nodosum extract and proline on the leaf-macronutrient status of mango cv. Kent

The exogenous use of Ascophyllum nodosum and proline to mitigate abiotic in fruit crops has been studied, but the nutritional effects of such treatments and their consequences for leaf-macronutrient status has not being determined yet, especially for mango, an important fruit crop for Brazil. Thus, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of A. nodosum associated to proline doses leaf and soil-applied on the nutritional status of 'Kent' mango grown in Brazilian tropical semiarid. The experiment followed a randomized-block design, with four repetitions, and three plants per parcel. Treatments were distributed according to a factorial scheme 4 x 2 x 2 corresponding to: i) concentration of proline: 0.0% (without proline), 0.287, 0.575, and 1.150%; ii) algal extract of Ascophyllum nodosum (presence and absence), concentrated at 1.5%; and iii) form application (soil or leaf). The application form (soil or foliar) of A. nodosum and proline affect differently the leaf-macronutrient status of mango cv. Kent during pre-flowering. A. nodosum extract affects positively the phosphorus and potassium leaf concentrations, but negatively affects nitrogen and magnesium. The proline application at 1.150% on soil stimulates the phosphorus, potassium and sulfur leaf concentrations.