REFERENCE SUFFICIENCY RANGES
VEGETABLE CROPS

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Celery

E. A. Hanlon and G. J. Hochmuth

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• Critical Values

  None established.

• Sampling Procedures

  The outer petiole should be sampled about 6 weeks after transplanting. For next season planning of fertilization needs, an additional sample from the outer petiole at maturity may be useful. Concentrations above the sufficient range for nutrients that are immobile in the soil are indicative of high soil fertility. Fertilization with these nutrients in subsequent seasons should be reduced or eliminated.

• Sufficiency Ranges
  
  
  • Six Weeks after Transplanting
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    1.5–1.7%	0.3–0.6%	6.0–8.0%	1.3–2.0%	0.3–0.60%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    20–30 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–40 ppm	4–6 ppm	15–25 ppm

  • Maturity
    
    

    Macronutrients
    N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
    1.5–1.7%	0.3–0.6%	5.0–7.0%	1.3–2.0%	0.3–0.6%

    
    

    Micronutrients
    Fe	Mn	Zn	Cu	B
    20–30 ppm	5–10 ppm	20–40 ppm	3–5 ppm	15–25 ppm

• DRIS Norms

  DRIS norms have not been established for celery.

• Remarks

  The tabular data agree with the experimental evidence reported in articles listed in the References section. However, some values are lower than those reported by Jones and others (1991). The differences can be attributed to the fact that these values are based upon measurements within experiments, compared to mean values observed with time in the analytical laboratory.

• References

  [Anonymous]. 1983. Producing celery in the Everglades. American Vegetable Grower 31(2): 39.

  Beverly RB. 1987. Celery response to foliar nutritional sprays and acidification of a Histosol. HortScience 22(6):1271–3.

  Beverly RB, Anderson DL. 1988. Response of pot-grown celery to foliar Mn, soil P, and soil acidification of two Histosols. Soil Crop Sci Soc Fla Proc 47:49–52.

  Burdine HW. 1971. The development of pencil stripe in celery: 1B. Nutrient element composition. Soil Crop Sci Soc Fla Proc 31:37–41.

  Burdine HW, Guzman VL. 1963. Some factors associated with the development of pith in winter grown Everglades celery. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 76:233–8.

  Burdine HW, Guzman VL. 1965. The response of some green celery varieties to pH adjustment with sulfur on Everglades organic soil. Proc Fla State Hort Soc 77:148–56.

  Burdine HW, Guzman VL. 1969. Celery cultivar responses to pH adjustment on Everglades organic soil. J Am Soc Hort Sci 94:520–3.

  Burdine HW, Guzman VL. 1969. Nutritional factors affecting nodal cracking of some celery cultivars. Soil Crop Sci Soc Fla Proc 29:351–62.

  Burdine HW, Guzman VL. 1969. Some celery responses to fertilizer levels and soil test results. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Everglades Station. Mimeo Report EES 69-17. 13 p.

  Espinoza LA. 1992. Response of celery to phosphorus rate and placement on Histosols [MSc thesis]. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida. 39 p.

  Hochmuth GJ, Hanlon EA. 1995. Commercial vegetable crop nutrient requirements in Florida. Gainesville (FL): University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Special Publication SP 177.

  Jones JB Jr, Wolf B, Mills HA. 1991. Plant analysis handbook: a practical sampling, preparation, analysis, and interpretation guide. Athens (GA): Micro-Macro Publishing. 213 p.

  Sanchez CA, Burdine HW, Guzman VL. 1990. Soil testing and plant analysis as guides for the fertilization of celery on Histosols. Soil Crop Sci Soc Proc 49:69–72.

  Welch NC, Tyler KB, Ririe D. 1985. Nitrogen rates and nitrapyrin influence on yields of brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and celery. HortScience 20(6):1110–2.

Electronic Document Prepared by:
Catherine Stokes, Communication Specialist
Agronomic Division of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. July 2000.