Ying Zhang, Cheng-Xiao Hu∗, Qi-Ling Tan, Cang-Song Zheng, Hui-Ping Gui, Wei-Nan Zeng, Xue-Cheng Sun, Xiao-Hu Zhao
College of Resources and Environment/Micro-element Research Center, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei Province 430070, PR China
The purpose of this study was to investigate citrus tissue’s response to varying applications of Fe-EDDHA, zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) combinations and the resulting effects on citrus fruit yield and quality in calcareous soil. A field experiment was conducted for three years with satsuma mandarin trees planted in calcareous soil. Four treatments were conducted: (i) control; (ii) soil Fe application; (iii) soil Fe + Zn application; and (iv) soil Fe + Zn + Mn application. Soil available Fe and Zn concentrations were raised through the application of Fe-EDDHA and Zn, whereas the soil available Mn concentration was not increased through the application of Mn. Applying Fe-EDDHA raised the leaf active Fe content significantly without influencing the leaf and fruit Fe concentrations. The Zn concentrations in leaf and fruit decreased when Fe-EDDHA was applied exclusively, but increased when Fe + Zn and Fe + Zn + Mn were applied in the third year. There was no significant difference in leaf and fruit Mn concentrations among all treatments between 2010 and 2012.
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