Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of various levels of nitrogen (N) on growth of ‘Hamlin’ orange (Citrus sinensis) trees on Carrizo citrange (C. sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata) rootstock in a field nursery. Newly budded liners were obtained from commercial nurseries and received from 0 to 3976 kg N per treated hectare annually (8N–0P–6.6K) in 14 applications per season. Tree trunk diameter, height, and dry weight were measured in two separate experiments. Total dry weight and trunk diameter were greatest for trees receiving 794 kg·ha−1 N annually during both seasons. However, annual N rates more than 1589 kg·ha−1 reduced trunk diameters and dry weight compared with the optimum N rate during both seasons. Leaf N concentration and N rate were positively correlated in both seasons, but leaf N concentration was poorly correlated with tree trunk diameter and dry weight. Therefore, very high rates of N fertilization may actually reduce ‘Hamlin’ orange tree growth in field nurseries when growing in an Arredondo fine sand.
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