Abstract
Soil with low fertility is a big problem for achieving citrus productivity. In this regard, the management of macro and micronutrients is essential. Macro and micronutrient deficiency decreased the yield and the quality of citrus fruit. It is the need of the hour to classify the soil fertility status under changing climatic scenarios. The current soil fertility survey was conducted to examine the macro and micronutrient status in the citrus production area. In soil, three depths (0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm) were taken for sampling. For leaves, 4–6-months-old non-bearing twigs were sampled from 20 trees per orchard at breast height. Results showed that soil pH (7.1–8.4) was slightly alkaline, electrical conductivity (EC) was non-saline (<4 dSm−1), soil organic matter (SOM) was deficient (<0.86%), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was slight calcareous (<8%), at 0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm depths. The majority of soil samples were low in nitrogen (N) contents at all depths, i.e., (<0.043) 0–15 (85%), 15–30 (97%), and 30–45 (100%) cm depths. Phosphorus (P) was medium (7–15 mg kg−1) at 0–15 cm (60%) but low (<7 mg kg−1) at 15–30 (63%) and 30–45 cm (82%) depths. Potassium (K) was medium (80–180 mg kg−1) at 0–15 (69%), 15–30 (69%), and 30–45 cm (10%) depths. Boron (B) and manganese (Mn) were medium, and Cu was high in 0.15 cm, but all were low at 15–30 and 30–45 cm depths. Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were low at depths of 0–15, 15–30, and 30–45 cm. Most citrus leaves were deficient in N (94%), Fe (76%), Zn (67%), and B (67%). In conclusion, soil fertilization is not sufficient for optimum citrus yield because of alkaline pH and slight calcareous soil conditions in this region. Foliar application of nutrients is suggested instead of only soil fertilization, for better nutrient management in citrus orchards.
Highlights
Citrus orchards face the problem of small fruit size, poor quality, and excessive premature fruit drop due to numerous factors [1]
The deficiency of Fe is associated with chlorosis. It decreases canopy volume, and the fruit-set results in reduced yield [19,20]. The deficiency of these micronutrients can be overcome by soil and foliar application of inorganic fertilizers [21,22,23,24,25]
Silt ranged from 6–36% at 0–15 cm depth, to 7–33% at 15–30 cm depth, to 7–30% at 30–45 cm depth
Summary
Citrus orchards face the problem of small fruit size, poor quality, and excessive premature fruit drop due to numerous factors [1]. Deficiency of micronutrients, i.e., zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), boron (B), and iron (Fe), is the most widely reported cause of low citrus yield [11,12,13,14]. It decreases canopy volume, and the fruit-set results in reduced yield [19,20] The deficiency of these micronutrients can be overcome by soil and foliar application of inorganic fertilizers [21,22,23,24,25]. Horticulturae 2022, 8, x FOR PEER REVIEW interlink soil attributes with nutrient management at their sites according to their agrocliIt is hypothesized that poor soil fertility and fertility low organic contents in Layyah soil matic zone. It is hypothesized that poor soil and low organic contentsdistrict in Layyah might be a major cause of the deficiency of micronutrients in citrus leaves. District soil might be a major cause of the deficiency of micronutrients in citrus leaves
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