Celery - Fertility

Nitrogen

If manure is applied or legume sod is plowed down, reduce the nitrogen (N) application (see Table 1-8, Adjustment of Nitrogen Requirement Where Sod Containing Legumes Is Plowed Down, and Table 1-7, Average Amounts of Available Nutrients for Different Types of Manure, on page 9).

Broadcast and incorporate recommended preplant nitrogen with all the required potash and potassium. See Table 9-18, Celery Nitrogen Recommendations.

Table 9-18. Celery Nitrogen Recommendations

Phosphorus

Soil tests are required to determine phosphorus requirements. Where the soil test values are 61 mg P per L soil (ppm) or higher, celery grown on both mineral and muck soils is unlikely to respond to additional phosphate applications. For soils testing lower than 61 mg P per L (ppm) see Table 1-10, Phosphorus Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 12, and Table 1-11, Phosphorus and Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Muck Soils, on page 13.

Potassium

Test the soil to determine potassium requirements. Where the soil test values are 181 mg K per L soil (ppm) or higher, celery grown on both mineral and muck soils is unlikely to respond to additional potash applications. For soils testing lower than 181 mg K per L (ppm), see Table 1-12, Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Mineral Soils, on page 14, or Table 1-11, Phosphorus and Potassium Requirements: Vegetables on Muck Soils, on page 13.

Calcium

Calcium deficiency results in a physiological disorder known as "black heart." The celery heart turns black, while the outer leaves are unaffected. If celery is under heat and moisture stress, weekly foliar calcium sprays directed into the heart of the plant may reduce black heart symptoms. See the section Calcium, on page 15, and Table 1-13, Application Rates for Magnesium, Calcium and Micronutrients, on page 16.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency appears as yellowing on the tips of older leaves, progressing around leaf margins and between veins. Some celery cultivars are inefficient at taking up magnesium from the soil. Where soil magnesium levels are low, apply foliar sprays starting when the plants are about one-third grown. See Table 1-13, Application Rates for Magnesium, Calcium and Micronutrients, on page 16.

Micronutrients

Crops vary greatly in their response to micronutrient fertilizers. For complete information, see the section Micronutrients, on page 16.

Boron

Boron deficiency results in a physiological disease known as "cracked stem" or "cat scratches." Use caution when applying boron. This nutrient can built to toxic levels quite quickly, harming rotational crops.

See Table 1-13, Application Rates for Magnesium, Calcium and Micronutrients, on page 16.

Plant Analysis

When used in conjunction with a soil analysis, plant analysis can be useful for diagnosing crop problems or for evaluating a fertilizer program. The objective of a good fertilizer program is to maintain tissue nutrient concentrations on the lower side of the range. Attempting to bring the nutrient analysis up to the higher end of the sufficiency range could possibly result in over-fertilization and may not be economical.

See Table 9-19, Celery Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges. Only use sufficiency ranges as a reference and a guideline. Plant analysis does not replace soil testing or a sound soil fertility program.

For more information, see the section Plant Analysis, on page 3.

Table 9-19. Celery Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges

Adapted from Maynard, D.N., and G.J. Hochmuth. 1997. Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 4^th Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.

Plant Part: Outer petiole

Related Links

• Publication 363 - Vegetable Production Recommendations

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