EVALUATING THE ABILITY OF SULFUR AND ANIMAL MANURE TO RELIEVE FE, MN, ZN, CU AND B DEFICIENCY IN 'SEAH' TABLE GRAPES IN CISAKHT REGION OF IRAN

Table grape is an important horticultural crop in Iran. In order to evaluate the effect of sulfur and manure on increasing nutrients availability of soil and alleviating deficiencies of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B on vineyards of Cisakht region in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province during 2003-2006, a factorial plot experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design with 12 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments included 3 rates of sulfur (0, 0.5 and 1 kg/grapevine) and 4 rates of manure (0, 5, 10 and 20 kg/grapevine). Results showed that the greatest decrease in soil pH occurred in the first year along with the largest increase in soil Zn, Cu and B concentrations. The highest percentage of soil organic carbon (%OC) and Mn occurred in the third year and that the greatest increase in soil Fe concentration occurred in the second year. Sulfur significantly decreased pH and increased Fe, Mn and Cu concentrations in soil. Animal manure significantly increased %OC, Fe and B in soil. The result of leaf analysis showed that the highest uptake of Fe, Zn, Cu and B by leaf occurred in the first year and that the highest uptake of Mn occurred in the second year. Sulfur increased Zn uptake by leaf significantly, increased Fe uptake but not significantly and decreased Mn uptake significantly. Effect of animal manure on increasing uptake by leaf was significantly effective, but the trend was not constant. The result of fruit analysis showed that pH decreased and TSS and TSS/TA increased significantly in the second year of the experiment. Application of 0.5 to 1 kg sulfur and 10 to 20 kg animal manure per fruiting grapevine is recommended every two to three years in the Cisakht region to increase nutrient uptake and improved fruit quality.