An experiment was conducted to evaluate existing critical limits and develop leaf nutrient standards in litchi. Thirty orchards with 20 ±2 years old trees planted with the cultivar Shahi (15 orchards) and China (15 orchards) in different districts of Bihar and Jharkhand, India were selected for the study. In order to develop soil and leaf nutrient standard, relations were exhibited between leaf nutrients content and yield. There was a little difference in values of leaf nutrient among cultivars Shahi and China, but the differences were not enough to suggest that different standards are required for different cultivars as the differences were due to nutrient uptake and not due to requirements. Thus, standard ranges have to allow tolerance to varietal variability. Leaf nutrient standards in litchi have been developed for the first time in India and would be used as a guide for litchi orchards. Among the nutrients N, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, B appeared to be more essential, which could be monitored, based on the leaf nutrient content. However, the standard would need refinement based on response to applied fertilizer. The critical value for the nutrients for leaf nutrient standard were N-1.75%, P-0.17%, K-0.80%, S-0.25%, Ca-0.90%, Mg-0.60%, Fe-100 ppm, Mn-120 ppm, Zn-28 ppm, Cu-30 ppm, B-29 ppm.
Litchi, leaf nutrient standard, soil nutrient standard, yield, macronutrient, micronutrient, critical limits
