IMPACT OF CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON THE CONTENT OF MACRO- AND MICROELEMENTS IN THE FRUIT OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L.)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide information on the content of micro- and macroelements in fruits of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivated using of different fertilizer application in conditions of northern Slovakia. The study was realised in the experimental station Kriva in Orava region. Six cultivars (Bluejay, Nelson, Bluecrop, Patriot, Berkeley and Brigitta) of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were studied. Three variants of blueberry cultivation were investigated. The first one was the cultivation with mineral fertilizers application (30 kg N, 10 kg P and 30 kg K.ha -1), the second variant was realised with application of Hosticke organic fertilizer and the third (control) variant of blueberry cultivation was realised without any fertilization. The content of macro- and microelements after previous microwave decomposition was in blueberries samples determined by AAS method (AAS Varian AA Spectr DUO 240FS/240Z/UltrAA ). In our study the highest content of macroelements (Mg – 104.72 mg.kg-1, P – 156.24 mg.kg-1, Ca – 646.,79 mg.kg-1, Na – 320.32 mg.kg-1 and K – 1416.78 mg.kg-1) was determined in cv. Patriot in the control variant without any treatment and the lowest one in cv. Bluecrop in the variant with the mineral fertilization. The highest content of microelements (Fe – 156.60 mg.kg-1, Mn – 8.68 mg.kg-1, Zn – 1.081 mg.kg-1, Cu – 0.507 mg.kg-1) was detected in cv. Nelson in the variant with the mineral fertilization and the lowest one in cv. Bluecrop in the control variant without any treatment.