Erwerbs-Obstbau (2017) 59:71–75
DOI 10.1007/s10341-016-0300-z
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Effects of Iron Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Chelate, Powder Sulphur
and Humic Acid Applications on Vegetative Growth of Sweet Cherry
(Prunus avium L.)
Sabahittin Abay1 · Lütfi Pirlak2
Received: 28 April 2016 / Accepted: 13 September 2016 / Published online: 9 November 2016
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016
Abstract This study was carried out in İscehisar district
of Afyonkarahisar on ‘0900-Ziraat’ sweet cherry cultivar
for two successive years in 2011 and 2012. Ten dif-
ferent applications consisting of 80 g FeSO4.7H2O tree–1,
20 g FeEDDHA tree–1, 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1, 80 g
FeSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1, 200 g powder
sulphur (S) tree–1, 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1,
25 g ZnSO4.7H2O tree–1, 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-
Hümas tree–1 and 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1
were subjected for determination of their effect on vegeta-
tive growth of sweet cherry. In this study, shoot diameter,
shoot length, leaf total chlorophyll content, leaf area and
leaf iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents were obtained. Shoot
length, shoot diameter and leaf area showed general in-
creases in 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 and
25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 treatments.
The results clearly indicated that he treatments had dif-
ferent effects on the shoot length and shoot diameter al-
though there was a differences between the experimental
years. Particularly, significantly positive effects of the treat-
ments on leaf total chlorophyll was apparent for the second
year’s observations. In addition, Fe and Zn concentrations
in leaf were markedly increased in response to the treat-
ments.
Keywords Sweet cherry · Plant nutrients · Iron · Zinc ·
Sulphur · Humic Acid · Vegetative growth
 Lütfi Pirlak
lpirlak@hotmail.com
1
Provincial Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Animal,
46600 Göksun, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey
2
Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Selçuk
University, 42079 Selçuklu, Konya, Turkey
Einfluss der Düngung mit Eisensulfat, Zinksulfat,
Eisenchelat, pulverförmigem Schwefel und
Huminsäure auf das vegetative Wachstum von
Süßkirschen (Prunus avium L.)
Schlüsselwörter Süßkirsche · Pflanzennährstoffe · Eisen ·
Zink · Schwefel · Huminsäure · Vegetatives Wachstum
Introduction
The origins of sweet cherry plant are known as Caucasia,
Caspian Sea and North-East Anatolia. According to 2012
records, world cherry production area is about 401,656
hectares (ha) (FAO 2015). Having a production area of
48,331 ha, Turkey is ranking first, followed by USA, Italy,
Syria, and Iran. In 2012, world cherry production was about
2,256,519 tons and Turkey accounts of 480,748 tons (FAO
2015). Cherry production rate of Turkey is tending to in-
crease yearly. The productions for 1991, 2000 and 2012
are about 150,000, 230,000 and 480,000 tons, respectively
(TUİK 2015).
Sweet cherry plants are grown better in soils having high
organic matter, low calcium carbonate and neutral soil re-
action (pH = 5.5–7.5) (Kalınbacak 2001). However about
85% of Turkish soils have alkaline soil reaction, 94% are
poor in organic matter content (75.6% low or very low
and 18.3% moderate), and 58% with high lime content
(Güçdemir 2006). So, the main types of the nutritional
problems related to soil properties are high pH and lime
content, and low organic matter and plant nutrients. Fa-
cilitating the balanced nutrients and improvement of soil
characteristics are very important for soil fertility and crop
production. Balanced nutrients in soils is highly affected
from soil reactions. There are close relationships between
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72 S. Abay, L. Pirlak

Table 1 Soil properties of the experimental field

Depth pH EC Lime Organic Inorganic P K Ca Mg Na B Cu Mn Fe Zn
(cm) μS/cm % Mat- N mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/ mg/
ter mg/kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg
%
0–30 7.38 101 2.51 1.16 16.1 3.69 461 5941 165 22 0.74 0.94 2.73 3.53 0.26
30–60 7.14 104 3.14 0.71 8.45 0.97 420 5917 165 21 0.72 0.70 1.70 3.77 0.18
60–90 7.43 104 5.35 0.62 7.23 1.94 405 6059 174 22 0.55 0.71 1.51 3.56 0.06

soil reaction and plant nutrients. The pH of soil has di-
rect or indirect effect on the availability of plant nutrients
and also on bacteria and actinomycetes that contribute soil
productivity and fertility as well as soil structure formation
(Marschner 1995).
In alkaline soils, phosphorus availability decreases due
to the binding with calcium (Ca) and Ca-phosphate. Both
high and low pH restrict plant growth and yield.
In Turkey, the most common deficiencies of trace ele-
ments in plants are zinc and iron. Although soil total Fe
and Zn contents are high enough to meet requirements of
crops, low solubility because of high pH and lime results in
Fe and Zn deficiency in plants. Preliminary factors affecting
the availability of Zn and Fe from the soils are pH, organic
matter, phosphorus level, high temperature and adsorption
by clay minerals (Özgüven and Katkat 2001).
Although iron is not present in molecular structure of
chlorophyll, it has catalytic effect on chlorophyll formation
(Yağmur et al. 2005).
Humic acids play important direct and indirect roles in
plant growth. Plant root development and absorption of
plant nutrients are affected directly by humic acids. Hu-
mic acids indirectly increase water holding capacity, im-
prove drainage, soil aeration and metallic ion absorption by
the formation of chelates or metalic-hydroxide (Tiryakioğlu
and Karanlık 2010).
This study was performed to determine effects of iron
sulphate (FeSO4.7H2O), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O), iron
shelat (FeEDDHA), powder sulphur and humic acid on the
plant growth in cherry plantations.
Material and Methods
This study was conducted in Afyonkarahisar province dur-
ing the growing periods of 2011 and 2012 at a cherry gar-
den. The research garden is located in 1127 meter (m)
above the sea level between 4302689.22 North-297713.90
East coordinates. Prior to the research, soil samples were
taken and analyzed. The soil in the study site has high
amounts of lime, with light alkaline reaction and non salty
(Table 1). Organic matter content and the amounts of nitro-
gen and phosphorus were low, Ca and potassium (K) were
excess and Mg level was fair. Copper (Cu) and manganese
(Mn) contents were sufficient, available Fe was moderate
and Zn was insufficient (Lindsay and Norvell 1978). Boron
content was found as sufficient in soil (Keren and Bingham
1985).
Before relevant applications, a total of 150-g tree–1 mono
ammonium phosphate in 4–5 parts was applied by drip ir-
rigation system. As a plant material, ‘0900-Ziraat’ sweet
cherry cultivar grafted onto the Gisela 6 rootstock was used.
These plants planted in 2010.
The research was performed for two years and treatments
were applied in each year. In research, 10 different treat-
ments were applied. The study was randomized plot design
with three replications having two trees in each replication.
In this study, the treatments as follows:
● Control
– 80 g FeSO4.7H2O tree–1,
– 20 g FeEDDHA tree–1 (Sequestrene 138 Fe),
– 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1,
– 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1,
– 200 g powder S tree–1,
– 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1,
– 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O tree–1,
– 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1,
– 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1.
Iron sulphate (FeSO4.7H2O), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O),
iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA), powder sulphur and humic acids
were applied to the 15–20 cm soil depth in the shading area
of trees at spring season (Kalınbacak 2001). Each treatment
was applied as mixed form prepared in 5 liter (L) water.
TKİ-Hümas (liquid, 5% organic matter, 12% of humic +
fulvic acid, pH:11) in trademark was applied as a humic
acid source.
In the present research, following nutrient contents in
plant leaves and some parameters related to plant growth
were determined. Shoot length was measured by using ruler
about one month later of full mature leaves formation com-
pleted. In each replication, 10 annual shoot lengths were
measured. Shoot diameter was measured as mm at 25 cm
height from the soil surface by using digital compass (Bo-
lat and Güleryüz 1992). Leaf area was measured by using
WinFolia Packet Program at vegetative growth period of

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Effects of Iron Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Chelate, Powder Sulphur and Humic Acid Applications on Vegetative Growth of Sweet...
late June from mid part of leaves at 5 leaves (İpek et al.
2009). To determine the leaf nutrients contents, leaf sam-
ples were taken from mid parts of annual shoots at late June
and those leaves were dried at 70 oC for nutrient analysis
uses. Iron and Zn were determined by using atomic ab-
sorption spectrometer (Optima 2100 DV, ICP/OES, Perkin-
Elmer, Waltham Ma, USA) (Anonymous 2004). The results
were evaluated by using JMP Statistical Packet Program
(SAS Institute Inc., USA).
Results and Discussion
Shoot lengths for 2011 and 2012 varied from 60.32 cm (25 g
ZnSO4.7H2O tree–1) to 80.18 cm (25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g
powder S tree–1), and from 38.89 cm (200 g powder S tree–1)
to 64.20 cm (25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1),
respectively (Table 2). Treatments had different effects on
shoot lengths, although there was no difference between
the experimental years. In 2011 none of the treatments in-
creased shoot length as compared to the control treatment.
In contrast, in 2012, 20 g FeEDDHA (Sequestrene 138 Fe)
tree–1, 420 mL TKİ-Humas tree–1, 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g
powder S tree–1, 25 g ZnSO4,7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Humas
tree–1 and 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 treat-
ments significantly increased shoot length. The highest
shoot length was obtained from 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g
powder S tree–1 application. This treatment gave 46.57%
higher shoot length than control the treatment.
Zinc plays unique role in plant metabolism by ac-
tivating of various enzyme, protein synthesis, carbohy-
drate metabolism and indole ascetic acid synthesis (Kılıç
2010). The highest shoot length was obtained from 25 g
ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 due to having Zn
(Table 2). In the research site, soil zinc content was insuf-
ficient. In addition, Marschner (1995) stated that indicators
of Zn deficiency were reduction plant growth and small-
sized leaf formation and those were resulted from problems
associated from auxin and indole acetic acid metabolism.
Shoot diameters for 2011 and 2012 varied from 8.40 mm
(25 g ZnSO4.7H2O tree–1) to 12.13 mm (control), and from
9.09 mm (200 g powder S tree–1) to 11.73 when compared
the control (25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1),
respectively (Table 2). Treatments had significant effects on
shoot diameter and produced different means for both years.
In 2011, 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1,
200 g powder S tree–1, 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder
S tree–1 and 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O tree–1 treatments decreased
the shoot diameter significantly. The highest reduction
rate in shoot diameter was obtained with 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O
tree–1 treatment. In 2012, when compared to the control
20 g Fe-EDDHA tree–1, 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1, 80 g
FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1, 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O +
73
420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1 and 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g
powder S tree–1 significantly increased the shoot diameter.
The highest increment in shoot diameter was obtained from
25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1.
In general, chlorophyll amount was found higher in all
treatments when compared to the control treatment and the
differences were found significant (Table 2). The highest
chlorophyll amounts for 2011 was obtained from 20 g Fe-
EDDHA tree–1 while in 2012 all treatments gave signif-
icantly higher chlorophyll contents over the control. In
2011, leaf chlorophyll content increased significantly with
20 g FeEDDHA tree–1 treatment, it decreased with 200 g
powder S tree–1 and 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O tree–1 treatment.
In 2012, chlorophyll content increased significantly by
all the treatments when compared to the control. In the
present study, because chlorophyll content improved by
FeEDDHA, FeSO4.7H2O + TKİ-Hümas and FeSO4.7H2O
treatments, these treatments are suggested for applica-
tion. Previous studies also support our findings. Similarly
Özdemir and Tangolar (2006) studied in vineyards and they
applied Fe-EDDHA and FeSO4 + citric acid, Kalınbacak
(2001) studied in sweet cherry plants and they applied Fe-
EDDHA and humic acid with iron application. On the con-
trary Daur (2013) reported that spad chlorophyll reading
was non-significantly affected by humic acid.
Treatments effects on Fe and Zn contents for both years
were significant. Iron (Fe) content was found greater than
the control treatment for both studied years (Table 2) even
the increment was higher than 100% in some treatments
(e. g. 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1). Al-
though leaf Fe content was lower in the control (Jones et al.
1991), those were in sufficient levels in the researched treat-
ments. Similarly Gezgin et al. (2012) reported that the
effect of TKİ-Hümas, sources of humic and fulvic acids,
on walnut, cherry, pistachio, plum and olive plant growth.
They stated that effectiveness of nutrient uptake in that
treatment increased as about 80%.
Zinc content significantly increased in both years (Ta-
ble 1). The highest increase in Zn content was obtained
by 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1 and 25 g
ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 treatments. The high-
est leaf Zn contents for both 2011 and 2012 were obtained
from 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1 ap-
plication as 86.59 mg kg–1 and 106.04 mg/kg, respectively.
Zinc content was insufficient as about 18.69 mg kg–1 for the
control treatment, and those values increased as 86.59 mg
kg–1 and 106.04 mg kg–1 for 2011 and 2012, respectively af-
ter application of ZnSO4.7H2O + 420 mL TKİ-Hümas tree–1
and that reached up to sufficient level (Jones et al. 1991).
This showed that ZnSO4.7H2O fertilizing with TKİ-Hümas,
increased the efficiency or availability of Zn through the
soil. Similarly, Karaman et al. (2012) reported that hu-
mic substance application resulted increment in availability
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Table 2 The effects of different treatments on vegetative growth of sweet cherry
Years Treatments
Control 80 g 20 g FeED- 420 ml TK- 80 g 200 g pow- 80 g 25 g 25 g 25 g
FeSO4.7H2O DHA tree–1 İ-Hümas FeSO4.7H2O + der S tree–1 FeSO4.7H2O + ZnSO4.7H2O ZnSO4,7H2O + ZnSO4.7H2O +
tree–1 (Sequestrene tree–1 420 mL 200 g powder tree–1 420 mL TKİ-Hü- 200 g powder
138 Fe) TKİ-Hümas S tree–1 mas tree–1 S tree–1
tree–1
Shoot Length (cm)
2011a 79.02a 79.67a 77.87a 75.00ab 70.92bc 65.00cd 76.65ab 60.32d 73.62ab 80.18a
2012 43.80ef 46.38de 52.89bc 49.80 cd 41.16ef 38.89f 56.95b 41.33ef 57.31b 64.20a
LSD2011 = 6.72 LSD2012 = 5.98
Shoot Diameter (mm)
2011 12.13a 12.03ab 11.70abc 11.23abc 10.63cd 9.77d 11.03bc 8.40e 11.10abc 11.63abc
2012 9.42d 9.43d 10.62abc 11.03ab 9.45cd 9.09d 11.04ab 10.31bcd 11.73a 11.38ab
LSD2011 = 1.07 LSD2012 = 1.35
Total Chlorophyll (mg/g)
2011 0.043bc 0.044bc 0.049a 0.044bc 0.046b 0.041d 0.043cd 0.041d 0.043cd 0.046b
2012 0.042b 0.050a 0.049a 0.048a 0.048a 0.046a 0.049a 0.048a 0.048a 0.048a
LSD 2011 = 0.002 LSD2012 = 0.003
Leaf Area (cm2)
2011 105.91a 102.59abc 98.26abc 103.94ab 103.09abc 81.58d 95.45abc 92.36bcd 91.21cd 92.73bcd
2012 113.27 111.41 142.34 117.44 102.15 113.39 149.99 96.32 122.21 122.25
LSD2011 = 12.83 LSD2012 = N.S.b
Leaf Fe Content (mg/kg)
2011 60.15g 115.42b 90.16d 78.56e 124.59a 72.51f 106.35c 69.52f 82.22e 73.22f
2012 68.52h 136.48b 105.67d 92.11e 149.67a 85.49f 124.01c 82.34g 93.11e 80.25g
LSD 2011 = 4.41 LSD2012 = 2.56
Leaf Zn Content (mg/kg)
2011 18.69h 22.36g 21.59g 30.11e 32.52d 22.53g 26.57f 65.42c 86.59a 73.45b
2012 23.15h 27.49g 26.11g 36.41e 39.78d 27.68g 33.14f 82.15c 106.04a 89.44b
LSD 2011 = 1.73 LSD2012 = 2.31
a
row means with common superscripts do not differ at (P > 0.05)
b
NS non-significant
S. Abay, L. Pirlak
Effects of Iron Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Chelate, Powder Sulphur and Humic Acid Applications on Vegetative Growth of Sweet...
and uptake of micronutrients. Humic acid, one of the or-
ganic matter sources, application has increased Zn uptake
(Shuman 1988).
In addition, zinc sulphate with sulphur (25 g ZnSO4.7H2O
+ 200 g powder S tree–1) increased the leaf Zn content
greater than individual zinc sulphate application. The pos-
sible reason might be that sulphur has resulted low pH,
and such situation increased the availability of nutrients
uptakes by plants.
Humic acid presence in Fe or Zn had more pronounced
influence on leaf Fe and Zn content than their single treat-
ments. This is most probably due to inducing effects of
humic acid on soil microorganism activity and enhanced
root growth of the plants Humic acids inhibit the cyristal-
lization of elements and these chelates the amonths around
the plant roots so they can be easily use (Akıncı 2011).
The effect of some plant nutrients applications through
the soil on some vegetative growth parameters such as
shoot diameter, shoot length, chlorophyll content, leaf area
and leaf nutrient contents of Fe and Zn were reported for
cherry plants. The results were as follows: The applica-
tions of 80 g FeSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 and 25 g
ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g powder S tree–1 has positive effect on
vegetative growth by increasing the shoot length, shoot di-
ameter and leaf area. In that regard, 80 g FeSO4.7H2O +
200 g powder S tree–1 and 25 g ZnSO4.7H2O + 200 g pow-
der S tree–1 applications are highly recommended especially
in the first year of the plantation. Leaf total chlorophyll
amount increased notably especially in the second year
of the research in all treatments. Sweet cherry plants are
highly sensitive from high lime content in soil. Thus, those
treatments could be recommended especially for the soils
having high lime content to prevent cherry plants.
The treatments had significant effect on Zn and Fe con-
tents of the leaves. All treatments significantly increased
Fe and Zn contents of leaves as compared to the control.
Treatments resulted positive effects on uptake of Fe and Zn
so all those treatments could be suggested for the farmers.
Acknowledgements This study was supported by a grant from Selçuk
University Research Project Center (Project Number: 12201063).
We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Sait Gezgin for his supports in
both establishment and maintenance of the study.
75
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