Foliar KNO₃ boosts citrus production

Acidity, Aspersion, Broken fruit, Foliar application, Fruit size, GA3, Gibberellic acid, Juice, K2O, KNO3, Nitrate, NOP, Number of fruits, Orange, Performance, Potassium, Potassium nitrate, Shell thickness, TSS,

Three levels of potassium nitrate at 2%, 4% and 6% were tested by foliar sprays at different periods: the first application was made at full bloom stage, the second application at 1.5-2.0 cm fruit diameter, and finally, both times the application was made. The objective was to investigate the effects of these foliar sprays on fruit set, yield, fruit quality, and fruit splitting in 40-year-old Navel Washington orange (Citrus sinensis) trees in Egypt during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. Trees were planted in clay soil at 5 x 5 m intervals in a randomized block design with 4 replications on a single tree. The treatments, especially at higher concentrations, increased fruit size, peel thickness and juice acidity compared to the control. In addition, it was noted that trees sprayed with a first application, or a first and second application, gave the best results; while the second application showed the best result in reducing fruit splitting. This reduction was only observed in the 4% and 6% KNO3 sprays_.The highest yield (+53%), compared to the control, was obtained with a 4% spray of potassium nitrate during full bloom (Figure 1). The increase in yield is explained by the increase in the number of fruits harvested per tree.

Two-season average yield (kg/tree) of Navel Washington orange trees as affected by potassium nitrate.

Author

Abd El-Rahman, G.F., M.M. Hoda and A.H.T. Ensherah. 2012. Effect of GA3 and potassium nitrate in different dates on fruit set, yield and splitting of Washington navel orange. Nature and Science, 10(1): 148-157.

Effect of ProHydriQ® on berry size in table grapes

Qrop Mix® use in split applications according to the potato crop stage

Foliar KNO₃ boosts citrus production

Related Posts

Effect of ProHydriQ® on berry size in table grapes

Qrop Mix® use in split applications according to the potato crop stage

Blueberry Nutrition with Ultrasol®ine K Plus and Ultrasol® Magnum Special in Poland