RESPONSE OF YOUNG WASHINGTON NAVEL ORANGE TREES GROWN ON SLIGHTLY ALKALINE CLAYEY SOIL TO FOLIAR APPLICATION OF CHELATED MICRONUTRIENTS

Dawood,, S. A.; Hamissa, A. M.; El-Hossiny, A. A.

doi:10.21608/jpp.2000.259562

RESPONSE OF YOUNG WASHINGTON NAVEL ORANGE TREES GROWN ON SLIGHTLY ALKALINE CLAYEY SOIL TO FOLIAR APPLICATION OF CHELATED MICRONUTRIENTS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Horticulture Res. Inst. Agricultural Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt

² Soil, Water & Environment Res. Inst. Agricultural Res. Centre, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/jpp.2000.259562

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out during 1997/98 and 1998/99 seasons at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station on young Washington Navel orange trees (4-5-years old), where the soil is classified as alluvial clayey soil with slight alkalinity to study the response of young orange trees to EDTA micronutrients (Fe, Mn & Zn) foliar application alone or in combination.
The results showed a pronounced increase in leaf N, K, Fe, Mn and Zn content, while that of P was not significantly affected. Leaf chlorophyll content, plant growth (as indexed by TCSA, GR%, VI and LA) and reproductive growth (as indexed by flowering, fruit set %, fruiting %) have responded well, while preharvest drop and June drop had reduced. Remarkable increase of yield as kgs or fruit number was also observed, especially with (Zn + Mn) treatment. Fruit quality expressed as fruit weight, TSS %, total acidity % and juice volume had improved, while vit.C and peel thickness were not affected by micronutrients as foliar sprays. Zn + Mn treatment gave better results in both seasons.