Influence of soluble and slow-release fertilizers on vegetative growth of containerized citrus nursery trees

• Published in: Journal of plant nutrition Vol. 28; no. 9; pp. 1465 - 1480
• Main Authors: Girardi, E.A, Mourao Filho, F.A.A, Graf, C.C.D, Olic, F.B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, NJ Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2005; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Citrus limonia; Citrus sinensis; container-grown plants; dry matter accumulation; fertigation; fertilization; fertilizer rates; fruit crops; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Analysis and diagnosis methods; growing media; oranges; Phytophthora; plant growth; plant nurseries; plant nutrition; root growth; rootstock; slow-release fertilizers; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soilless cultures. Co2 fertilization; Soilless cultures. Protected cultivation; sweet orange; Brazil; Citrus sinensis; Fertilization; Growth; Citrus fruit; Rutaceae; Nursery (plant); Container growing; Rootstock; PLANT NUTRITION; Vegetative state; Soluble form; Soil management; Fruit crop; Dicotyledones; Slow releasing fertilizer; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Fruit tree; sweet orange
• ISSN: 0190-4167; 1532-4087
• DOI: 10.1080/01904160500201337

The production system for certified citrus nursery trees in Sao Paulo State, Brazil, stipulates the use of screenhouses, rigorous selection of rootstocks, and the production of budwood under high standards in order to prevent diseases such as sudden death, Citrus Var, and foot rot (Phytophthora spp.). The establishment of adequate nutritional levels for citrus nursery trees also leads to higher production efficiency in this system. This work was divided into two trials. The first evaluated the influence of certain concentrations and formulas of slow-release fertilizer on the growth of 'Pera' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) budded on 'Rangpur' lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) on two substrates. The development of 'Rangpur' lime liners was not influenced by composition of the substrate, nor by the concentrations or formulas of slow-release fertilizers. Substrate composition and formulas, or concentrations of fertilizers also did not affect budded tree growth, except that the greatest root fresh and dry matter were found in plants cultivated with lower concentrations. The second trial evaluated the influence of different soluble and slow-release fertilizers on growth of 'Valencia' sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) nursery trees budded on 'Rangpur' lime. Scion length, stem diameter, scion fresh and dry matter, and leaf area were not affected by fertilizer sources. Fertigation induced the greatest development of roots (fresh and dry matter) when limestone was added.