VIEW ARTICLE

Field Control of a Ficus elastica Leaf Spot by Proper Potassium:Magnesium Nutrition. Robert B. Marlatt, Plant Pathologist, University of Florida, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Homestead 33030; Paul G. Orth, Assistant Soils Chemist, University of Florida, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Homestead 33030. Phytopathology 63:1084-1085. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-1084.

A severe leaf spotting of the ornamental India rubber plant, Ficus elastica ‘Decora’, occurs in southern Florida on oolitic limestone soil. It was associated with soil containing low concentrations of K. Applications of fertilizer containing high amounts of K and Mg gave good control of the disease during a 3-year period. Fertilization with “high K + no Mg” and “no K + high Mg” gave significantly more disease.