Research is on-going at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) into recommendations for macronutrients and micronutrients for citrus.
Citrus nutrition is an important consideration, especially now in the era of citrus greening. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has recently undertaken the process of updating nutrient recommendations due to citrus greening being endemic in the state, including macronutrients and micronutrients for citrus, according to a Citrus Industry article. Explore the details below.
Macronutrients and Micronutrients for Citrus
Macronutrients for citrus include Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). They are essential for plant development and affect yield, tree health, and juice quality in citrus. Micronutrients like manganese, boron, zinc, and iron are also important, but they have not had the focus of the ‘big three’ macronutrients in the pre-citrus greening era. However, researchers and growers alike are learning that micronutrients for citrus can play an important role in combating the effects of the disease.
According to the article, UF/IFAS assistant professor of soil and water science Davie Kadyampakeni has been doing research on macronutrients and micronutrients in citrus that will yield recommendations for citrus growers. “We have seen tremendous success where we have increased the amounts of micronutrients over current recommendations. We have done this research over the past three to four years. We are learning we need balanced and constant nutrition for these HLB-affected trees. We should give these trees as much as they need in small amounts over time,” Kadyampakeni said in the article.
The research will eventually yield recommendations for citrus growers for mitigating citrus greening-created stressors, like less root mass, less canopy, and trees not being able to take up enough nutrients from the soil and water.
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