Nuts other than Pecan

Critical Nutrient Levels for Nut Crops1,5

Nut
 
%
N2
%
K3
%
Mg
%
Ca
%
Cl4
%
Na4
ppm
Mn
ppm
B
ppm
Zn
ppm
Cu
Almond Optimal
2.1-2.6
1.4
0.25
2.0
0.3
0.25
20
*
 
4
Def.
2.0
1.0
           
15
Pistachio Optimal
2.5-2.9
1.0-2.0
1.2
1.3
0.1-0.3
?
30-80
120-250
10-15
6-10
Def.
2.3
1.0
         
90
7
 
Walnut Optimal
2.2-3.2
1.2
0.3
1.0
0.3
0.1
20
36-200
 
4
Def.
2.1
0.9
         
20
18
 
Source of information:  In-A-Nutshell, June 1999, p7.
Def. = Deficiency
* For boron status, sample hulls at harvest (30-80 ppm in hulls is deficient; 80-200 ppm is sufficient; >200 ppm is excessive).
Data is for July leaf samples for Almonds and Walnuts and for August leaf samples for Pistachios.
  1. Leaves are from spurs (fruiting & nonfruiting) on spur-bearing trees (almond) and terminal leaflet on walnut and pistachio.
  2. Percent nitrogen in August and September samples can be 0.2-0.3 lower than July samples and still be equivalent.
  3. K levels between deficient and adequate are considered "low."
  4. Excess Na or Cl causes reduced growth at levels shown.  Leaf burn may or may not occur when levels are higher.
  5. Phosphorus levels should not be allowed to go below 0.1%.  Usually pistachio is 0.14 - 0.17%.