Impact of Foliar Fertilization on Leaf Nutrient Status of Kinnow Mandarin

Abstract

Aims: To study the impact of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid on leaf nutrient status of Kinnow mandarin.
 Study Design: The experiment was performed in randomized block design with three replications per treatment on Kinnow mandarin.
 Place and Duration of Study: The current study was carried out on seven years’ old earmarked plants at the Horticultural Orchard and in Soil Testing Laboratory of College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during the year 2016-17. 
 Methodology: The eleven fertilizer treatments in different combinations of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid were arranged in randomized block design with three replications on seven years old uniformly grown Kinnow mandarin trees. All the chemicals were sprayed twice, i.e., first in last week of April and second in the last week of July. Leaf samples were taken in the month of October for analysis of leaf N, P, K, Zn and Fe content.
 Results: The results of the experiment indicate that the foliar application of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid had a significantly positive influence on the recorded parameters. The content of nitrogen, zinc and iron in Kinnow mandarin leaves was recorded maximum when the plants were sprayed with Urea 1.5% + K2SO4 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.75%, Urea 1.5% + K2SO4 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.75% + FeSO4 1.0% + Boric Acid 0.4% and Urea 1.5% + K2SO4 1.5% + ZnSO4 0.75% + FeSO4 1.0%, respectively, while phosphorous and potassium content in leaves of Kinnow mandarin remained unaffected by the foliar application of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid.
 Conclusion: Based on this study, it is concluded that the foliar application of Urea, K2SO4, ZnSO4, FeSO4 and boric acid had a significantly positive influence on leaf mineral nutrient status of Kinnow mandarin plants.