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Deficiency of Inorganic Nutrients as a Contributing Factor to Ohia Decline. J. T. Kliejunas, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo 96720; W. H. Ko, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Hawaii, Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo 96720. Phytopathology 64:891-896. Accepted for publication 26 January 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-64-891.

Stands of native ohia trees in Hawaii are in serious decline and many trees have died. Declining trees treated with a complete fertilizer (NPK plus micronutrients) responded by producing numerous new leaf buds on branches and trunks. The trees also responded to a mixture of NPK without micronutrients. Application of N, P, and K individually or a mixture of micronutrients were not effective. Declining trees responded to a combination of NP, but not to combinations of NK and PK. Results indicated that ohia trees are declining because of nutrient deficiency.