Authors

Abstract

Nitrogen foliar spray is one of the most important components in fertilizing programs for citrus in Iran, as it can reduce nitrate leaching. The goal of this research was to determine the most effective concentration of foliar urea application on “Thamson Navel’’ orange trees, for achieving the highest yield. Foliar sprays were carried out, in two stages with total concentrations of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2%. The first stage applied in April with concentrations of (0.25, 0.5 and 0.75%) and second stage in the end of July with concentrations of (0.15, 0.35 and 0.45%). Results of statistical analysis showed that urea treatment at concentration of 1.2% had significant effect on increasing the mean fruit weight. Also significant increase in mean fruit diameter and total soluble solids to acidity ratio in urea treatment at 0.4% concentration were observed. The results indicated that, there is no significant effect on vitamin C and ratio of fruit length to fruit diameter in urea treatment at concentration of 1.2%. All spray treatments increased fruit set. Finally, urea treatment at concentration of 1.2% had the best effects on more of studied traits.

Keywords

1 . متشرع­زاده ب (1376) اثر محلول­پاشی نیتروژن و روی بر درصد تشکیل گیلاس. پایان­نامه کارشناسی ارشد. دانشگاه تربیت مدرس، تهران، ایران.
2. مرادی ب (1383) اثرات ازت، پتاسیم و آبیاری روی خصوصیات کمی و کیفی پرتقال تامسون ناول.گزارش نهایی طرح تحقیقاتی. مؤسسه تحقیقات مرکبات کشور، رامسر، ایران. 
 
3. Ahmed MA and Mohamed ME (1995) Effect of urea, some micro nutrients and growth regulator foliar sprays on the yield, fruit quality, and some vegetative characters of Washington navel orange trees. Hort. Science. 30(4(: 14-17.
4. Albrigo LG and Syvertsen JP (2001) What about foliar N P K on citrus? Fluid. J. 9(3): 8-11.
5. Andrews PK (2002) How foliar – applied nutrients affect stresses in perennial fruit plants. International Symposium on Foliar Nutrition of Perennial Fruit Plants. No: 31. P.246.
6 .Bondada BR, Petracek PD, Syvertsen JP and Albrigo LG (2006) Cuticular penetration characteristic of urea in citrus leaves. J. Hort. Sci. Biotech. 81(2): 219–224.    
7. Cheng L, Fengwang M and Ranwala D (2004) Nitrogen storage and its interaction with carbohydrates of young apple trees in response to nitrogen supply. Tree Physiol. 2: 91-98.
8. El-Otmani M, Oubahou A-Ait, Zahra F and Lovatt CJ (2002) Efficacy of foliar urea as an N source in substainable citrus production systems. International Symposium on Foliar Nutrition of Perennial Fruit Plants, Merani, Italy. Pp. 32-34.
9. Morgan KT, Scholberg, JMS, Obreza TA and Wheaton TA (2006) Size, biomass and nitrogen relationships with sweet orange tree growth. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.131(1): 149 -156.
10. Cheng L, Fengwang M and Ranwala D (2004) Nitrogen storage and its interaction with carbohydrates of young apple trees in response to nitrogen supply. Tree Physiol. 2: 91-98.