Plant nutrition status, yield and quality of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) under soil application of Fe-EDDHA and combination with zinc and manganese in calcareous soil

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate citrus tissue's response to varying applications of Fe-EDDHA, zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) combinations and the resulting effects on citrus fruit yield and quality in calcareous soil. A field experiment was conducted for three years with satsuma mandarin trees planted in calcareous soil. Four treatments were conducted: (i) control; (ii) soil Fe application; (iii) soil Fe+Zn application; and (iv) soil Fe+Zn+Mn application. Soil available Fe and Zn concentrations were raised through the application of Fe-EDDHA and Zn, whereas the soil available Mn concentration was not increased through the application of Mn. Applying Fe-EDDHA raised the leaf active Fe content significantly without influencing the leaf and fruit Fe concentrations. The Zn concentrations in leaf and fruit decreased when Fe-EDDHA was applied exclusively, but increased when Fe+Zn and Fe+Zn+Mn were applied in the third year. There was no significant difference in leaf and fruit Mn concentrations among all treatments between 2010 and 2012. Soil Fe, Fe+Zn and Fe+Zn+Mn application increased fruit number by 23.5%, 26.7% and 24.9%, respectively, and soil Fe+Zn application increased the yield in 2012. Fruit TSS, TA and Vc content were higher through the application of Fe+Zn and Fe+Zn+Mn in 2012. The results revealed that Fe and Zn play different roles that affect fruit yield and quality in calcareous soil. The citrus yield was mainly affected by Fe, whereas fruit quality was improved by Zn. The application of Fe-EDDHA alone could induce Zn deficiency, so the co-application of Fe-EDDHA and Zn fertilizer was useful for obtaining higher yield and quality in satsuma mandarin in calcareous soil.