Seasonal fluctuations in the concentration of nutrients in leaf 17 of oil palms were examined in relation to changes in rainfall, soil moisture, yield level and time of fertilizer application, in 19 oil palm fertilizer trials carried out in West Malaysia. On coastal soils, leaf P and K were found to increase with the average level of soil moisture prior to sampling,whilst on inland soils, leaf K and Ca were found to decrease with the average rainfall received prior to sampling and leaf Mg decreased with the yield level prior to sampling. Equations are presented which can be used to correct for these leaf nutrient fluctuations.

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