This study was carried out in order to estimate the mineral nutrient deficiencies and their priorities in irrigated arable soils in the area of Villa Mercedes (San Luis, Argentine) by means of a simple technique, which combines subtractive and additive methods in greenhouse. The trials were performed by comparing eight subtractive treatments (C, C-Mg, C-Ca, C-P, C-K, C-S, C-ME and T) and four additive ones (N, NP, NS and NPS), in an Entic Haplustoll, at two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) and using Lolium multiflorum Lam. as index plant. The achieved results show that: 1) there are no nutrient deficiencies of K, Mg, Ca, or ME (minor element), in depths studied; 2) S was deficient in both depths; 3) P presents a marked decrease of yield at surface level while it is found to be deficient at greater depths. In addition, there appeared a positive correlation (r = 0.9128) between the water consumed by the crop and the yields resulting from the different treatments.
nutrients; deficiencies; subtractive method; additive method; soils
