See recommendations from UF/IFAS research on using nutrient management to boost citrus tree productivity.
“Because most citrus trees in Florida are planted in soils with low nutrient- and water-holding capacity, growers need to pay close attention to the supply of both water and nutrients,” advised a Citrus Industry article authored by UF/IFAS researchers. Florida growers interested in boosting productivity in their groves should utilize nutrient management and irrigation; see the recommendations on managing nutrients from the article below.
Nutrient Management Recommendations
The article shared that “Nutrient management requires consideration on the timing, placement, rate and source. Fertilizer management decisions should be guided by soil and leaf analysis to avoid applying too much or too little fertilizer.”
Rate
The article shared the below rate chart from the Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3rd Edition based on “orange tree leaf analysis based on 4- to 6-month-old spring flush leaves from non-fruiting twigs”
Timing
- “The goal is to spread out the release of fertilizer to the soil to reduce fertilizer losses to leaching, while also making the majority of the fertilizer available to the tree during the time that it can make the most use of it (spring and early summer). If using conventional granular fertilizers (which last about three months), growers are encouraged to apply fertilizers a minimum of four splits per year, usually around February, March, May and September/October. The more splits the better because this will minimize the leaching risk.”
- “Controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) take longer to break down and can last between six to 12 months. They can be applied in about two to three splits per year. For trees affected by citrus greening, CRF products that contain polymer-coated micronutrients are also encouraged.”
Source
- “In recent years, some growers have switched to liquid fertigation systems. If using liquid fertigation, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly fertigation practices to ‘spoon-feed’ the tree’s weak root systems from February to October are recommended. However, in the summer months of June, July, August and September, the use of CRF to minimize nutrient leaching due to heavy rains is recommended.”
- “Blends that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and a little bit of calcium, magnesium, sulfur and polymer-coated micronutrients such as manganese, iron, boron and zinc are favored and can improve tree productivity.”
Placement
- “Apply the fertilizer in the active root zone, around 1 to 2 feet from the tree and within the wetted area of the microjets to allow better uptake since this is where most roots are located.
- “Some nutrients are applied to the foliage, such as micronutrients and selected macronutrients (e.g., potassium and calcium, mainly where the soil pH is high, like in the Indian River region).
- “The ideal scenario is to apply the foliar fertilizers as a solution to correcting short-term nutrient deficiencies.”
- “Foliar micronutrients can typically be applied three to four times per year.”
Foliar potassium applications are considered ideal during the fruit phase to improve fruit size and juice quality.”
See irrigation recommendations in the next blog in the series.
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.