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Soil Application of Boron and Zinc Influence Fruit Yield and Quality of Satsuma Mandarin in Acidic Soils
Author(s) -
Zhang Ying,
Hu Chengxiao,
Tan Qiling,
Nie Zhaojun,
Zheng Cangsong,
Gui Huiping,
Sun Xuecheng,
Zhao Xiaohu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj14.0122
Subject(s) - citrus unshiu , chemistry , zinc , titratable acid , soil water , yield (engineering) , agronomy , horticulture , soil ph , boron , biology , food science , ecology , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Boron and Zn deficiency are frequently observed in citrus planted in acidic soil. The study was conducted to determine whether soil application of B and Zn could improve citrus yield and fruit quality. Field experiments were conducted over a 3‐yr period. The effect of soil application of B and Zn alone or in combination on the B and Zn absorption, yield, and fruit quality of Satsuma mandarin ( Citrus unshiu Marc.) were investigated on a yellowish‐brown acidic soil (Haplic Luvisols). The soil available B and Zn concentrations were raised by application of B and Zn, respectively. Applying B increased the B concentrations in leaf, flower and fruit, whereas applying Zn had no obvious influence on leaf or fruit Zn concentrations until the third year. The yield increased with the B and Zn + B applications due to the increase in the number of fruit per tree in 2012. Applying B alone had no significant effect on quality, whereas applying Zn or Zn + B led to higher total soluble solid (TSS) and titratable acid (TA) contents in 2012. The fruit vitamin C content increased significantly with the application of Zn + B. Therefore, B and Zn affect fruit yield and quality differently in acidic soil. The citrus yield was mainly affected by B, whereas fruit quality was improved by Zn. A continuous combined application of B and Zn over a 3‐yr period resulted in a higher yield and quality of Satsuma mandarins.