Symptoms of Nitrogen Deficiency in Citrus and Methods of Prevention and Control
Release Date:
2019-02-15
Nitrogen Deficiency Characteristics: 1. New leaves are small, thin, light green or pale yellow, with uniform coloration. 2. Branches become shorter and thinner, the number of leaves per branch decreases, young shoots die back, and the canopy becomes sparse. 3. Fruit set is low, fruits are small, the peel is smooth, acid content declines, and maturity is slightly advanced. Correction Methods: 1. Strengthen soil management by applying ample well‑rotted organic fertilizer to improve nutrient‑poor soils and increase soil nitrogen levels. 2. Based on the citrus tree’s nutrient requirements at different growth stages and fruit load, apply organic fertilizers or nitrogen‑based chemical fertilizers in a timely, appropriate, and balanced manner. Apply sufficient organic fertilizer or nitrogen‑rich chemical fertilizer 7–10 days before each flush of new shoot emergence and before flowering, as well as during the fruit‑expansion period. Fertilizer application rates depend on root…
Nitrogen deficiency characteristics
1. The new leaves are small and thin, light green or pale yellow, with uniform coloration.
2. The branches become shorter and thinner, the number of leaves per branch decreases, small branches die off, and the branching becomes sparse.
3. Low fruit set, small fruits, smooth skin, reduced acidity, and a slightly earlier maturity.
Correction method
1. Strengthen soil management by applying ample well-rotted organic fertilizer, improving the fertility of poor soils, and increasing the nitrogen content in the soil.
2. Based on the nutrient requirements of citrus trees throughout their growth and development, as well as the fruit load, apply organic fertilizers or nitrogen-based chemical fertilizers appropriately in terms of timing and quantity. Apply sufficient organic fertilizer or nitrogen-rich chemical fertilizer promptly 7–10 days before each flush of new shoot emergence and before flowering, as well as during the fruit‑expansion stage.
The fertilizer application rate is 0.5–1 kg of pure nitrogen per 50 kg of fruit, depending on the fertilization level. For trees with a high fruit load, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be increased accordingly.
3. For sandy, well‑drained soils with poor water and nutrient retention, apply ample amounts of well‑decomposed organic fertilizer to minimize nitrogen loss. In such soils, nitrogen fertilizers should be broadcast in shallow furrows, applied in small, frequent doses, to reduce leaching and enhance fertilizer use efficiency.
4. Avoid excessive application of phosphate and potash fertilizers.
5. On plots with a high groundwater table, raised beds should be constructed for elevated‑bed cultivation. In citrus orchards with poor drainage or standing water, promptly dig ditches 0.6–1.2 meters deep to ensure proper drainage and support the healthy growth of citrus root systems.
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