The UF/IFAS Tip of the Week shared recommendations for optimal availability of nutrients for Florida citrus growers.
Nutrients are one of the most important aspects in farming, with nutrient deficiencies causing low yields and decreased revenue. The UF/IFAS Tip of the Week, and the accompanying Citrus Industry article, shared recommendations for optimal availability of nutrients for Florida citrus growers. See the recommendations below.
Recommendations for Optimal Availability Of Nutrients
Nutrients can be broken down into macronutrients and micronutrients, though both types of nutrients are important for tree health and yield. The following recommendations for optimal availability of nutrients come from the UF/IFAS Tip of the Week:
- Periodically do a soil test for pH and keep the soil pH between 5.8 and 6.5. Results have shown that this is the optimal range for nutrient availability in citrus-producing soils.
- Do leaf tissue tests and make sure every nutrient is in the optimal or high range according to current University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences recommendations.
- Do a soil test but watch for the leaf tissue results because while some soil tests may show high nutrient content, the nutrient may not be readily available to the plant.
- When a leaf nutrient test shows excessive nutrient concentration, consider omitting that nutrient in the next four to six months to make sure the nutrient reverts to the optimal or high ranges. Excessive nutrient concentration may result in too much vegetative growth at the expense of fruit yield and juice quality.
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.