Effect of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) application on leaf nutrient content in 0900 ziraat cherry variety

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) application on the leaf nutrient content of the '0900 Ziraat' sweet cherry variety grown under Sultandağı, Afyonkarahisar ecological conditions and to determine the optimal yeast dose. The study was carried out on 25-year-old cherry trees, and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae solution was applied to the soil within the canopy projection of the trees. In the study conducted according to the randomized complete block design with 5 replications; four different doses as control, 5, 10, and 15 ppm were tested, and a total of 20 trees were used. Leaf samples collected during the harvest period after the application were analyzed in terms of macro and micro nutrients. According to the findings, the nitrogen content was determined as 1.93% in the control group, 2.16% at 10 ppm, and 2.31% at 15 ppm, showing a significant increase at high concentrations. While the phosphorus content, which was 2,916 mg/kg in the control group, increased to 3,670 mg/kg at 5 ppm, it decreased to 2,855 mg/kg at 15 ppm. Potassium content reached its highest value at 10 ppm with 26,950 mg/kg. While calcium showed an increase at 15 ppm compared to the control group, magnesium showed a consistent increase with increasing doses. Iron content increased at 10 and 15 ppm doses, whereas copper showed a significant decrease at 15 ppm. Zinc showed a significant decrease at the low dose but showed an increase at 10 and 15 ppm doses. Manganese did not show a significant change. The obtained results show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae application has the potential to be a biofertilizer alternative to chemical fertilizers by increasing the nutrient content of cherry leaves. However, it is recommended to conduct repeated trials in different orchards and at different times to obtain more consistent results in terms of elements such as phosphorus and calcium.