Impact of Foliar Application of Fe, Zn and B in Combination with Mg on Growth, Yield and Quality of Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) under Alfisols of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted on well established four years old orchard of acid lime at Citrus Research Station, Petlur, Dr. YSR Horticultural University, Andhra Pradesh during 2012-2018 to investigate the effect of micronutrient fertilization on the growth, yield and quality of acid lime cv. CRS-1. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with seven different combinations of three micronutrients (Fe 0.5%, Zn 0.5% and B 0.1%) in combination with Mg 0.2% and a control imposed each treatment on five plants. Foliar application was done during before flowering, late bloom stage and berry sized fruit stage. The result displayed that combined application of iron @ 0.5%, zinc @ 0.5%, boron @ 0.1% and Mg @ 0.2% recorded highest fruits per tree (618.33) and fruit yield (22.60 kg per tree), and improved fruit physical and chemical parameters like fruit weight, fruit diameter, juice %, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, acidity % etc. The leaf nutrient content in acid lime leaf was significantly altered plants treated with combined application of Fe, Zn, B and Mg, i.e. T8. From these results, it concluded that combined foliar application of Mg, Fe, Zn and B is not only most effective for getting higher production and also better quality fruits of Acid lime under Alfisols of Andhra Pradesh.