Citrus fruit yield response to nitrogen and potassium fertilization depends on nutrient-water management system

Abstract The objectives of the present study were to investigate the influence of water supply combined with different rates and methods of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) application on fruit yield and nutrient use efficiency (NutUE) of citrus by monitoring plant nutritional status and soil solution dynamic. The experiment was carried out with 4-yr-old Natal sweet orange trees on Rangpur lime over 4 consecutive growing seasons. Treatments were composed of 2 rates of N and K (NK): 50% and 100% of the recommended rates for maximum yield in rain-fed environments and 3 nutrient-water management systems: non-irrigation + broadcast granular fertilizer, irrigation + broadcast granular fertilizer and fertilizer application via irrigation (fertigation). Fruit yield was maximum under fertigation with application of 50% of the NK rate, and fertigation improved NutUE by 22% compared to non-irrigated trees. However, no difference in productivity and NutUE occurred across nutrient-water management systems under 100% of the NK rate. Differences in plant nutritional were not consistent across treatments and did not contribute to explain variations in fruit yield and NutUE. Soil solution analysis of fertigated trees receiving 100% of the NK rate revealed the lowest pH value and the highest concentration of N-NH4. It is concluded that fruit yield responses of citrus trees treated with established NK rates for rain-fed environments might be limited by soil solution acidification and N-NH4 toxicity when fertilizers are applied via fertigation, being necessary further adjustments on fertilization management of fertigated citrus groves.