Y. Erner, B. Artzi, E. Tagari and M. Hamou
The Volcani Center, Institute of Horticulture, Department of Fruit Trees, Israel
Potassium plays a critical role in citrus trees and it affects many phenomena, both visible and invisible. The requirement for K in trees is next to that for nitrogen and ranges from 0.5 to 2% of dry matter. Adequate yield, for the fresh fruit market can be achieved only when the level of K is in the optimum range.
The element has dominant effects on external and internal fruit qualities, including yield, colour, size, acidity and roughness. The various potassium fertilizers should be used with attention to the effects of rainfall, salinity and counter ions. Cultivators of modern intensive citrus orchards should pay attention to the potassium level in the trees and react accordingly.