Effect of Zinc and Boron using Different Application Methods on Yield of Citrus (Sweet Orange) in Calcareous Soils
Effect of Zinc and Boron using Different Application Methods on Yield of Citrus (Sweet Orange) in Calcareous Soils
Yousaf Noor*, Zahir Shah and Muhammad Tariq
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to assess the effect of Zn and B and their methods of application on the yield and yield attributes of citrus (Citrus Sinensis) orchards established on calcareous soils at three farmers fields in Dubandai and Palai area of District Malakand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during 2009-2010. A randomized complete block experiment with split plot arrangement was used. Methods of application (Soil and Foliar) were assigned to main plots while micronutrients (Zn @2.5 kg ha-1, B @ 2.5 kg ha-1 and Zn plus B) were kept in subplots. The results showed that Zn, B and Zn + B and their methods of application significantly affected the yield attributes of citrus in both years. The combined application of Zn and B increased flower (12118), fruit set (8.3%), fruit retained (59.42 %), and fruit yield (14.34 t ha-1) relative to control. June fruit drop was reduced by 28.82 % by Zn alone. In methods foliar spray significantly improved fruit retained (46.24%) and fruit yield (12.4 t ha-1) relative to soil applications. The fruit retained and yield were also significantly increased by 10.41% and 15.93% respectively, while June drop was reduced by 33.75% during 2nd year of the experiment compared to the 1st year. Results further revealed that Treatments x Years, Methods x Sites and Years x Methods x Treatments interaction significantly affected June drop while Years x Methods and Methods x Treatments significantly affected fruit retain and fruit yield of citrus fruit. It can be concluded that foliar spray of micronutrients improves yield and yield attributes of citrus and is recommended for the citrus industry of Pakistan
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