Soil productivity and plant nutrition conditions of Deveci pear gardens in Bursa province

The study was carried out in order to determine the productivity status of twenty Deveci pears orchards in Bursa province, by soil, plant and fruit analysis. Nutrient analysis were carried out by taking soil samples at two depths (30-60 cm) in September, as well as leaf and fruit samples from the plants. The nutritional status of the plants was tried to be determined by comparing the obtained values with the limit values. It has been determined that the soils are generally classified as medium calcareous, medium textured and slightly salty. It has been observed that the pH averages of the soils vary between 8,12 and 8,42 according to the depth and they are in the slightly alkaline class. The organic matter content of the soils was determined as 2,21 % at the first depth and 1,06 % at the second depth. It was determined that the soil samples at the first depth have average value of 0,125% nitrogen (N), 34.45 mg kg⁻¹ phosphorus (P), 147,70 mg kg⁻¹ potassium (K), 4160 mg kg⁻¹ calcium (Ca), 241,54 mg kg⁻¹ magnesium (Mg), 92,35 mg kg⁻¹ sodium (Na), 17,55 mg kg⁻¹ iron (Fe), 20,37 mg kg⁻¹ copper (Cu), 2,09 mg kg⁻¹ zinc (Zn), 6,63 mg kg⁻¹ manganese (Mn) and 0,55 mg kg⁻¹ boron (B). Average element contents of leaf samples taken from orchards was determined as 2,08 % N, 0,15 % P, 1,26 % K, 1,58 % Ca, 0,29 % Mg, 0,10 % Na, 105,22 mg kg⁻¹ Fe, 10,74 mg kg⁻¹ Cu, 46,16 mg kg⁻¹ Zn 198,52 mg kg⁻¹ Mn and 25,77 mg kg⁻¹ B. Fruit N, P, K, Mg, Na, Cu, and Mn were found to be above sufficient levels, and Ca, Fe, Zn and B were found to be less or more than the limit values. It has been concluded that the producers apply fertilizer without soil analysis in the production of Deveci pears, and plant nutrition problems due to unbalanced fertilization may increase in the future and decrease in yield.