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Richard · 08-16-2009, 12:39 AM

I'm hoping that adrift, Ohio's Best, sbl, Scot Nelson, turtle, and all of you other well-qualified biologists can help out with this one.

I have read a lot over the years about the role of phosphate in fruiting plants. For bananas, one researcher reports that there is negligible uptake and less than an ounce (net weight) per plant per year is needed. In a UC Davis handbook on peach orchards I read that the role of phosphate is to stimulate root development which in turn makes it possible for the plant to generate a larger volume (number) of flower buds. A report from the plant science department at Cal Poly states that potash works just as well as phosphate for the production of blooms in plumerias (ok, its not a fruiting plant per se).

So what is the current knowledge of the role of phosphate in say: bananas, pit fruits, and subtropicals such as citrus and guavas?

08-16-2009, 12:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 994,995 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	The role of phosphate in fruiting plants I'm hoping that adrift, Ohio's Best, sbl, Scot Nelson, turtle, and all of you other well-qualified biologists can help out with this one. I have read a lot over the years about the role of phosphate in fruiting plants. For bananas, one researcher reports that there is negligible uptake and less than an ounce (net weight) per plant per year is needed. In a UC Davis handbook on peach orchards I read that the role of phosphate is to stimulate root development which in turn makes it possible for the plant to generate a larger volume (number) of flower buds. A report from the plant science department at Cal Poly states that potash works just as well as phosphate for the production of blooms in plumerias (ok, its not a fruiting plant per se). So what is the current knowledge of the role of phosphate in say: bananas, pit fruits, and subtropicals such as citrus and guavas? __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com