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Several parameters of flowering stems of two cultivars of protea Leucospermum cordifolium(Knight) Fourc (‘Succession II’ and ‘Tango’) and one of protea Prote L. (Protea susannae x magnifica ‘Susara’) were studied in different commercial plantations. These included length and weight measures, nutrient concentrations of detached parts (flower heads, leaves and stems), and removal of nutrients of harvested flowers. A base for fertilization was also calculated. Harvested flowers of ‘Susara’ removed more P, K and Cu than ‘Succession II’ and ‘Tango’, and more Ca and Fe than ‘Tango’. ‘Succession II’ showed the highest Zn removal. The P and Cu removal by the crop of ‘Susara’ were significantly higher than those of both Leucospermum cultivars, while K, Ca, and Fe outputs of ‘Susara’ exceeded only those of ‘Tango’. The nutrient top removals amounted to 4.55 g m-2 of N, 0.48 g m -2 of P, and 5.26 g m -2 of K. Data as a base to supply fertilizer to each cultivar are given, with N:P:K ratios of 1:0.08:0.87 for ‘Succession II’, 1:0.08:0.83 for ‘Tango’ and 1:0.10:1.27 for ‘Susara’.

Cheirosporium gen. nov. is characterised by the production of sporodochial conidiomata, semi-macronematous to macronematous onidiophores that possess several distinct sterile branches, and cheiroid, smooth-walled conidia with rhexolytic secession. The 28S rDNA and ITS rDNA operon of this taxon were amplified and sequenced. A BLAST search revealed low homology between Cheirosporium triseriale and existing sequences in public databases, supporting the hypothesis that the species is new to science. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. triseriale groups with Dictyosporium and allied species, and nests within the Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota).heirosporium is morphologically distinct from the cheirosporous genera Cheiromyces, Cheiromycina, Dictyosporium, Digitomyces, Digitodesmium and Pseudodictyosporium and these differences are discussed.

Cheirosporium gen. nov. is characterised by the production of sporodochial conidiomata, semi-macronematous to macronematous onidiophores that possess several distinct sterile branches, and cheiroid, smooth-walled conidia with rhexolytic secession. The 28S rDNA and ITS rDNA operon of this taxon were amplified and sequenced. A BLAST search revealed low homology between Cheirosporium triseriale and existing sequences in public databases, supporting the hypothesis that the species is new to science. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. triseriale groups with Dictyosporium and allied species, and nests within the Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota).heirosporium is morphologically distinct from the cheirosporous genera Cheiromyces, Cheiromycina, Dictyosporium, Digitomyces, Digitodesmium and Pseudodictyosporium and these differences are discussed.

Foliar samples, SPAD-502 measurements (both along the growing season), and soil samples were taken from protea plants (Leucospermum cordifolium), cultivar ‘High Gold’ cultivated in six commercial plantations of La Palma Island (Canarian Archipelago). Soil data (pH, available P, Ca, Mg, K and Na, and EC) ranged within normal levels for proteas, though O.M. was high. Drainage decreased the potential problem that could be caused by the high clay content of the soils. Leaves showed high concentrations of N, K, Mg, and Na, while Ca and Cu were normal. On the other hand, Fe and Zn presented some low foliar levels, while Mn values fluctuated depending upon the different plantations. N contents were higher in spring, and those of K, Ca, Mg, and Na increased with time. Relative chlorophyll contents (SPAD-502 measurements) were compared with macro- (N, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg) and micro- (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) foliar levels. Results showed no positive correlation between leaf chlorophyll and N content. Higher leaf N concentrations were observed in chlorophyll deficient than chlorophyll sufficient leaves at one site and vice versa at another site. In contrast, lower Mn, Fe and Ca concentrations, the last corresponding with higher ratios of N/Ca were observed in chlorophyll deficient than chlorophyll sufficient leaves at several sites. It is concluded that amendment of soils with Mn, Fe and Ca may prevent the development of chlorophyll deficiency symptoms, associated with diminished photosynthetic capacity, in this important commercial cultivar.