Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizer Management for Young, Bearing Microsprinkler-Irrigated Citrus, Final Report

Abstract

Higher nutrient and water use efficiency are possible with microsprinkler-irrigated citrus compared to flood-irrigated citrus. Therefore, new N and P fertilizer recommendations are needed for microsprinkler-irrigated citrus. The objectives of this project were to i) determine the effects of N applications of 0 - 0.8 lb/tree/yr on fruit yield, fruit and juice quality, and N and P removal in fruit for microsprinkler-irrigated navel oranges; ii) determine the effects of P applications of 0 - 0.2 lb/tree/yr on fruit yield, fruit and juice quality, and N and P removal in fruit, and iii) develop Best Management Practices for N and P fertigation of microsprinkler-irrigated citrus. Field experiments were conducted at the University of Arizona Citrus Agricultural Center in separate blocks of ‘Newhall’ and ‘Fukumoto’ navel oranges, both on ‘Carrizo’ rootstock. In each block, ten treatments, consisting of all possible combinations of 5 N rates (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 lb N/tree/yr) and 2 P rates (0, 0.2 lb P/tree/year) were applied to five replicate trees per treatment. The maximum predicted yields for both varieties during all three seasons occurred at N rates of 0.4 to 0.55 lb N tree-1 yr-1. There were no significant effects of P application on fruit yield or quality. There were few significant effects of N or P fertilization on packout or fruit quality. The amounts of N removed in harvested fruit at the yield-maximizing N rates were equivalent to 50-84% of the N applied. New N fertilizer recommendations for microsprinkler-irrigated navel oranges are proposed.