Efficiency of two foliar fertilizers and salts containing micronutrients on leaf concentration and yield of Citrus limon Burn L. trees

Abstract

The aim of the present study, carried out at Morrinhos farm, Botucatu, state of São Paulo, Brazil, was to evaluate the efficiency of two foliar fertilizer formulations in supplying boron, manganese and zinc with the application of salts to Citrus limon (h.) Burm L. trees. The treatments consisted of 8 and 12Lha^-1 fertamin citros in 4 applications and 9 Lha^-1 festamin citros in 3 applications; 9 Lha^-1 fertamin citros in 3 applications; 9 Lha^-1 nutrimins in 3 applications and salts in 3 applications. The results of a three-year evaluation through 3x5 factorial scheme in completely randomized bloc design showed that salts provided better results than fertamin citros and nutrimins for zinc, manganese and boron. The foliar application of nutrimins did not increase nor maintain Zn, Mn and B micronutrient contens at the appropriate level in the leaves, so that both foliar and soil micronutrient applications to citrus may be required.