Determination of Nutritional Status of Pepper Grown in the Kumluca and Kale Regions

This experiment was carried out to investigate mineral nutritional status and to determine the nutrient problems of pepper plants grown in greenhouses in the Kumluca and Kale regions. For this objective, 70 soil samples (from a depth of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm) were collected to analyze for pH, CaCO3, total soluble salt, texture, organic matter, total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg, available Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, and 35 leaf samples were collected to analyze for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. The pH of the soil samples was slightly alkaline. Most of the soil samples were highly calcareous and had slight to moderate salinity. The textures were sandy loam and sandy clay loam. Soil samples were mostly poor in organic matter content. The total N and available P content were sufficient. The exchangeable K levels ranged from sufficient to insufficient. The levels of exchangeable Ca and Mg and available Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu were sufficient. The results of leaf analysis showed that the N content of the samples was high in most of the greenhouses. The P contents of the leaves were sufficient. While K contents were insufficient, Ca and Mg contents were sufficient. Fe contents were insufficient, Mn and Zn contents were sufficient and Cu contents were sufficient and in some cases at very high levels. In consideration of the N and K contents of leaf samples, the N/K ratio of plants in the regions generally seemed to be a problem. A more detailed study should be carried out on this matter.