Nitrogen Fertilization Influences the Physiology of Apple Leaves Subjected to European Red Mite Feeding

The interaction of N fertilization and European red mite (ERM) [Panonychus ulmi (Koch)] feeding on the physiology of greenhouse-grown `Imperial Delicious' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) leaves was evaluated. Visual damage was noticeable with 75 mite days (MD) and was consistently greatest on the low-N leaves. Net photosynthesis (Pn) was decreased by mite feeding in all N treatments. However, with equal MD, the high-N treatment retained higher Pn than the low- or medium-N treatments. Transpiration, dark respiration, leaf N, and total chlorophyll increased with N and were reduced by mite feeding. Mite feeding increased dark transpiration at all N levels. Relative water content was unaffected by N and was reduced by mite feeding. Specific leaf weight increased with N and MD.