Journal of Plant Nutrition

ISSN: 0190-4167 (Print) 1532-4087 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/lpla20

Integrated Nutrient Management for Better

Quality and Yield of Kinnow Mandarin

Saeed Ahmad, Muhammad Mubashar Naeem, Muhammad MosanMalik,

Muhammad Nafees & M. Yaseen

To cite this article: Saeed Ahmad, Muhammad Mubashar Naeem, Muhammad MosanMalik,
Muhammad Nafees & M. Yaseen (2017): Integrated Nutrient Management for Better Quality and
Yield of Kinnow Mandarin, Journal of Plant Nutrition

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01904167.2016.1161767

Accepted author version posted online: 02

Mar 2017.

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Integrated Nutrient Management for Better Quality and Yield of Kinnow Mandarin

Saeed Ahmad, 1 Muhammad Mubashar Naeem, 1 Muhammad MosanMalik, 2 Muhammad

Nafees3and M. Yaseen4
1
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2
Horticultural Institutes, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
3
Unversity College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, the Islamia University of

Bahawalpur, Pakistan
4
Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Address Correspondence to Saeed Ahmad: sandhu100hasan@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the integrated effect of organic matter alone and in

combination with chemical fertilizers in order to maintain the nutritional status in Kinnow fruit

plants. Lahore Compost® was used as a source of organic matter. Treatments were made by

using compost alone and in combination with nitrogen (N)- phosphorus (P)- potassium (K)and

well rotten farm yard manure (FYM; cow dung). Treatments were applied before flowering and

after fruit set. Effect of these treatments on different Physico-chemical characteristics of Kinnow

fruit and nutritional status in tree leaves was determined. Among all treatments minimum flower

drop, maximum yield and better fruit quality were recorded in plants where 40kg compost + ½

recommended doses of NPK were applied before flowering and after fruit setting while,

minimum fruit set was recorded from the plants where 30kg compost alone was applied before

flowering.

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Keywords

NPK, inorganic fertilizers, Compost, FYM and Kinnow mandarins

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INTRODUCTION

Citrus is the backbone of fruit crop cultivation. During the last few years, citrus area has

increased due to increasing demands of local consumption and exports, which is expected to

boom in the future. Such extension in area encourages establishing more studies towards finding

out an appropriate integrated nitrogen (N) management for improving the production and fruit

quality (Wardowshi et al., 1986).Application of organic fertilizers in citrus orchard is a

production system avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers. Using

organic fertilizers produces clean fruits and juice. New strategy of fertilization depends on using

recycled animal manure and farm residues to produce compost for enhancing biological cycles,

improving soil fertility and avoiding all forms of pollution that may result from conventional

agricultural techniques. However, because of the limited amount of organic manure, many

attempts should be accomplished to find out the possibility of using some new natural and

synthetic materials for fruits crops. The use of organic materials as nitrogen source is being

considered the best management practice for nitrogen management because organic nitrogen (N)

is released to the plant more gradually than water soluble, inorganic N fertilizers (Nijjar, 1985).

Organic matter is a source of phosphorus (P) and carbon stimulating micro flora

population and also provides sites for the micro flora to colonize bacteria secrets enzymes which

act as catalyze liberating calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) from insoluble calcium phosphate and

iron (Fe) insoluble calcium phosphate and Fe and P from insoluble iron phosphate. As the

calcium, phosphorus and iron elements are liberated they are absorbed by the humic acid present,

making the elements less available to the bacteria. The bacteria are further stimulated to secrete

additional enzymes, liberating more Ca, iron (Fe), and P until both the humic acid and bacterial

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population are satisfied. In the same way, trace elements are also converted into forms more

easily used by plants. Therefore, plants grown on soils which contain adequate nutrients produce

higher yield and the nutritional quality of harvested foods and feeds are superior.

Addition of organic wastes to the soil can increase total N, organic matter, microbial

population, enzyme activity, soil moisture retention, pH buffering capacity and hence crop yield

(Edwards, 2002).The use of organic residues maintain soil organic matter and soil humus

substances at higher levels than inorganic fertilization (Madejon et al., 2001).Growth, nutritional

status of trees, yield and fruit quality of citrus were greatly improved by the application of

organic and bio fertilizers aside from mineral N forms (Abo-El-Komsan et al., 2002a; 2002b and

Fouad-Amera et al., 2002). Vitamin C content will be significantly higher in organically

managed citrus orchard than in conventionally managed orchard (Obreza and Morgan, 2008).

Compost is considered to be an environmentally safe, agronomical advantageous, and relatively

cheap organic amendment which stimulates soil microbial activities and crop growth (Van-Camp

et al., 2004).This study was carried out to find out the most suitable dose of compost alone and in

combination with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) with regards to yield and fruit

quality of Kinnow mandarins.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Fruit Orchard Square No.9 University of

Agriculture Faisalabad, during 2006-08. The experiment consisted of five treatments and four

replications and was laid out following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Twenty

Kinnow plants of 8 years old, vigor and uniform in size were selected as an experimental

material. Soil analysis regarding the national status and texture of soil was conducted (Obreza

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et al., 2010) before and after the completion of the experiment (Table 1). Similarly, leaves of

same age were analyzed to find out the NPK status, start of the experiment and at the time of

fruit harvesting by adopting the method used by Obreza et al. (2010). Fertilizers from all sources

were applied according to the following treatments.

T1= 30 kg Compost /plant before flowering (1/2 Third week of December + ½

1st week of February)

T2 = 40 kg Compost /plant before flowering (1/2 Third week of December + ½

1st week of February)

T3 = 30 kg compost + ½ Recommended dose of NPK per plant

before Flowering and after fruit setting

T4 = 40 kg compost + ½ Recommended dose of NPK per plant

before Flowering and after fruit setting

T5= Control (Recommended dose (500 +500 +500 g/plant) of NPK + farm yard

manure (FYM) (80kg)

per plant before flowering+ 500g nitrogen after fruit set)

Treatments including organic, inorganic and their combinations were applied by

broadcast method up to the area of plant canopy leaving 60 cm from the main stem. Plants were

irrigated immediately after the application of all treatments. Lahore Compost® was used as

source of organic matter. Treatments were made by using compost alone and in combination

with NPK (Engro Chemical Ltd. Pakistan) and well rotten FYM (Fully decomposed) Treatments

were applied before flowering and after fruit set. Effect of these treatments on different Physico-

chemical characteristics (Fruit size, Juice weight, total soluble solids (TSS), acidity etc) of

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Kinnow fruit and nutritional status (NPK) in tree leaves was determined. Horticultural practices

such as irrigation, hoeing as well as pest control were carried out as usual. Eight branches, one

year old were chosen on each tree, one toward each direction. One hundred mature leaves (7

months age) were picked from non- fruiting shoots of the spring growth cycle per each tree

before and after the nutrient application. Percentages of N, P and K (on dry weight basis) were

determined by adopting the methods used by Obreza and Morgan (2008) and Obreza et al.

(2010). Yield (kg/ tree) was noted by harvesting at the last week of February. Twelve fruits per

tree were taken randomly for the determination of fruit weight (g), fruit diameter, juice %age, rag

%age, peel thickness, percentages of total soluble solids, total, reducing and non-reducing

sugars, total acidity (as g citric acid /100 ml juice) and ascorbic acid (as mg/ 100 ml juice). Data

were tabulated and statistically analyzed using analysis of variance technique and treatment

means were tested using least significant difference test at 5% probability (Steel et. al., 1997).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Leaf NPK Contents:

Leaf analysis conducted before the treatment application showed no significant differences

among treatments as indicated by analysis of variance in (Table 2), however nitrogen,

phosphorus and potassium levels increased in all of the treatments after application of fertilizers

and analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among treatments. Findings are

confirmed by work done by Milella and Diedda (1973) who reported that concentration of

nitrogen in the leaf are positively influenced by increasing rate of application. These results are

in agreement with those obtained by (Abo- El Komsan et al., 2002; Sharawy, 2005)

Tree Vigour:

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Although various treatments regarding increase in plant height were significantly different

among each other after one year and the range of tree height was between 40.80cm (T1) to

58.58cm (T4), while all others fell in between these treatments (Table 3). Increase in tree canopy

spread was not significant. Maximum increase in tree spread (101.7cm) was noted where 40kg

compost along with ½ NPK was applied , while minimum increase of spread (88.29 cm) was

observed where compost was applied alone @ 30kg per tree. All other treatments fall in between

these treatments. A glance of treatment means presented in Table 3, indicated that increase in

stem girth was significant statistically and it showed that maximum increase was observed in T 4

as 6.175cm with the minimum increase in T 2 as 4.575cm. These findings are confirmed by the

findings of Gilani et al. (1991) who reported that with increasing rates of nitrogen and NPK tree

vigour of Kinnow also increases.

Physical Characteristics

Results presented in Table 4 showed that fruit weight values were significant and the values were

between ranges of 149.7g (T2) to 184.8g (T4) while all others fell in between these treatments.

The difference of the mean fruit size (cm) was also significant. According to the Table 3, the

range of fruit size was in between 65.83cm (T1) to 75.66cm (T4) while all other fell in between

these treatments. The difference in peel weight is significant and T 2 stands first with a mean peel

weight of 43.32g. Minimum peel weight was observed in T 4 as 39.57g. Peel thickness also

showed significant results. Maximum peel thickness was observed in T2as 3.757cm with the

minimum peel thickness of 3.105cm recorded in T 4. The difference of the mean pulp weight of

fruits was statistically significant and maximum pulp weight was weighed in T2 with the pulp

weight of 43.50g. Minimum value of pulp weight was noted in T 4 as 30.30g. The difference of

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the mean juice weight of fruits is significant and according to ranked order T 4 stands first with

mean juice weight of 90.28g (Table 5). These results confirmed the results of Deng and Wang

(2000). Seed weight was significant statistically, but the parameters regarding the number of

healthy and aborted seeds were not significantly different among all treatments. These

observations are confirmed from the findings of Ebrahiem et al. (1993) who reported that the

number of seed per fruit was not affected by the form of Potassium fertilizer used.

Yield

It is clear from the obtained data in Table 6 that yield of Kinnow trees varied significantly among

the five treatments from N sources and proportions of mineral N, Compost, and FYM.

Application of ½ recommended dose of NPK with 40kg compost was very effective in

improving the yield. Yield per tree was significantly reduced when percentages of mineral N was

decreased. The maximum yield 88.34kg/tree in T4 and minimum fruit yield was noted in T1 as

57.63kg/tree.

Chemical Characteristics

The effects of different types of fertilizer applications on total soluble solids are given in Table 7.

The soluble solids had highly significant differences between the treatments ranging-between

9.975% (T1) to 11.30% (T4). The difference of the acidity percentage was significant and

maximum acidity percentage was observed in T1 with mean percentage of 1.45% followed by T2

and T3with 1.38% and 1.28% of acidity respectively. The difference of the mean ascorbic acid

percentage was also significant and the highest ascorbic acid percentage was recorded in T4 as

44.34%. T1 gained least percentage of ascorbic acid as 37.82%. These results can be compared

with the findings of Nasir et al. (1989) and Deng and Wang (2000).

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Table 6 showed that all the treatments significantly affected the total sugar, reducing sugar and

non-reducing sugars. It is clear from the Table 6 that highest value for total sugar and non-

reducing sugars was recorded in T4 as 9.825% and 7.217%, respectively. The highest value of

reducing sugar was recorded in T2 2.830%.

CONCLUSIONS

As a conclusion it is suggested that 40kg compost with ½ recommended dose of NPK (250

+250+ 250 g/plant before flowering and 250 g nitrogen after fruit set) is the best treatment for

the better nutrient management of Kinnow fruit to obtain higher yield, maximum juice and better

quality parameters

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Agriculture and Environmental Science, Minia. Egypt. March, 22: 2177-2198.

Abo EI-Komsan, E.A. and T.A. Ebrahiem 2002b. Integrated nutrient management for Valencia

orange trees grown on Trover citrange and sour orange. 2: Yield and fruit quality.

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Deng. Baixum and SC. Wang. 2000. Study on the effects of Zaoshuling and biofertilizer on the

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Ebrahiem. T.A., F.F.Ahmed and K.G.Assy. 1993.Behaviour of Balady mandarin trees (Citrus

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Edwards, 2002.Assessing the effect of environmental pollutants on soil organisms, communities

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Fouad- Amera, A., H. Khalil-Fekrya, A.E.M. Mansour and E.A. Shaaban, 2002. Studies on the

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Conference for Agriculture and Environmental Science, Minia. Egypt.March,.22 :.4

1797- 18-00.

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Gilani, A.H., A. Yousaf, M.A. Tariq and F. Muhammad. 1991. Studies on the effect of growth

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reticulata Blanco). Sarhad Journal of Agriculture 5 (1):47-51.

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river valley (SW Spain). Agriculture Ecosystems Environment 84: 55-65.

Malella, A. and P. Deidda. 1973. The effect of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on the

dimensions and chemical composition of leaves of mandarin tree. Study Sassazesi III 21,

294-383.

Nasir, M.A., N. Ali and A.W.Gill, 1989. Studies on the effect of chemical fertilizers onthe

vitamin C contents of Kinnow fruit. Punjab Fruit Journal 42 (1): 30-33.

Nijjar, G.S., 1985. Nutrition of Fruit Trees. Mrs. Usha Raj Kumar for kalyanin publishers, New

Delhi. pp: 10-52.

Obreza, T. A. and K. T. Morgan (eds.). 2008. Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 2nd Edition.

UF-IFAS, Soil and Water Science Department. SL 253.

Obreza, T.A., M. Zekri, E.A. Hanlon, K. Morgan, A. Schumann and R. Rouse. 2010. Soil and

leaf tissue testing for commercial citrus production. UF-IFAS, Soil and Water Science

Deptartment. SL253.04. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Sharawy, A.M.A., 2005. Response of Balady limetrees to organic and bio fertilization. Minia.

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Steel, R.G.D., J.H. Torrie and D.A. Dickey. 1997. Principles and procedures of statistics. A

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Van-Camp, L., B. Bujarrabal, A.R. Gentile, R.J.A. Jones, L. Montanarella, C. Olazabaland S.k.

Selvaradjou. 2004. Reports of the Technical Working Groups Established under the

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571.

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Table 1: Analysis of the tested soil before and after application of fertilizers

Parameters Before application After application

Texture Loam Loam

pH 7.8 7.8

E.CdSm-1 1.46 1.49

Organic Matter % 0.81 1.05

Saturation %age 38.6 39.0

Available P (ppm) 2.36 3.22

Available K (ppm) 113.3 146

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Table 2: Effect of fertilizer application on leaf NPK status in Kinnow mandarin

Before fertilizer After fertilizer

application application

Treatments N P K N P K

Compost @30kg tree--1 1.700 0.1650 0.6850 1.745 c 0.1750 ab 0.888 c

Compost @40kg tree--1 1.675 0.1525 0.7175 1.892 bc 0.1625 b 0.930 c

Compost @30kg tree--1 1.747 0.1625 0.8025 2.110 ab 0.1925 ab 1.212 a

+ ½ NPK tree-1of RD

Compost @40kg tree--1 1.860 0.1600 0.8650 2.335 a 0.2200 a 1.283 a

+ ½ NPK tree-1of RD

NPK @ 1000-500-500g tree- 1.783 0.1450 0.8575 2.037 b 0.1775 ab 1.095 b

1
(Recommended Doses)

Note: RD is recommended doses of NPK ( 1000g+ 500g+ 500g per tree )

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Table 3: Effect of different fertilizer applications on tree vigour in

Kinnow mandarins

Treatments Increase in Tree Increase in Canopy Increase in Stem

Height(cm) Spread(cm) Girth(cm)

Compost @30kg tree--1 40.80 d 88.29 4.675 b

Compost @40kg tree--1 48.28 c 88.89 4.575 b

Compost @30kg tree-1 55.17 ab 95.74 5.925 a

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

Compost @40kg tree--1 58.58 a 101.7 6.175 a

+ ½ NPK tree-1of RD

NPK @ 1000-500- 54.15 b 94.02 5.800 a

500g tree-1 (RD)

LSD at 5 % 4.135 NS 0.7579

Note: RD is recommended doses of NPK ( 1000g+ 500g+ 500g per tree )

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Table 4: Effect of fertilizer application on physical characters of Kinnow mandarin

Treatments Fruit Fruit Peel Peel

Weight (g) Size (cm) Weight (g) Thickness (cm)

Compost @30kg tree--1 149.8 d 65.83 d 42.67 3.705 a

Compost @40kg tree--1 149.7 d 66.98 cd 43.32 3.757 a

Compost @30kg tree--1 173.6 b 71.49 b 40.58 3.340 c

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

Compost @40kg tree--1 184.8 a 75.66 a 39.57 3.105 d

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

NPK @ 1000-500-500g 162.4 c 69.28 bc 41.55 3.515 b

tree-1 (RD)

LSD at 5 % 7.468 2.621 NS 0.1462

Note: RD is recommended doses of NPK ( 1000g+ 500g+ 500g per tree )

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Table 5: Effect of fertilizer application on physical characters of Kinnow mandarin

Treatments Rag Juice Seed Healthy Aborted

Weight (g) Weight Weight Seeds seeds

Compost @30kg tree--1 42.30 a 77.00 c 2.375 c 16.92 3.175

Compost @40kg tree--1 43.50 a 80.40 c 2.650 bc 16.38 3.750

Compost @30kg tree-1 31.48 bc 88.03 ab 2.975 ab 19.75 2.950

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

Compost @40kg tree--1 30.30 c 90.28 a 3.125 a 20.75 2.650

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

NPK @ 1000-500-500g 34.13 b 84.95 b 2.950 ab 17.58 2.725

tree-1 ( RD)

LSD at 5 % 3.523 3.758 0.3836 NS NS

Note: RD is recommended doses of NPK ( 1000g+ 500g+ 500g per tree )

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Table 6: Effect of different fertilizer treatments on Yield of Kinnow mandarin

Treatments Number of Fruits/ Plant Yield (kg/ Plant)

Compost @30kg tree--1 383.8 d 57.63 d

Compost @40kg tree--1 397.8 cd 59.93 d

Compost @30kg tree--1 436.3 b 75.81 b

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

Compost @40kg tree--1 489.3 a 88.43 a

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

NPK @ 1000-500-500g tree-1 416.3 bc 66.90 c

(RD)

LSD at 5 % 31.73 4.919

Note: RD is recommended doses of NPK ( 1000g+ 500g+ 500g per tree )

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Table 7: Effect of fertilizer application on chemical characteristics of Kinnow

Mandarin

Treatments TSS Acidity Vitamin C Total Reducing Non

(%) (%) (%) sugar (%) sugar (%) reducing

sugar (%)

Compost @30kg tree--1 9.975 d 1.455 a 37.82 b 7.725 d 2.495 ab 5.335 c

Compost @40kg tree--1 10.02 d 1.382 b 39.16 b 8.160 cd 2.830 a 5.453 c

Compost @30kg tree--1 10.23 b 1.280 c 43.46 a 8.965 b 2.180 b 6.785 ab

+ ½ NPK tree-1 of RD

Compost @40kg tree--1 11.30 a 1.395 ab 44.34 a 9.825 a 2.610 a 7.217 a

+ ½ NPK tree-1of RD

NPK @ 1000-500-500g 10.40 c 1.163 d 41.03 ab 8.747 bc 2.513 ab 6.443 b

tree-1(RD)

LSD at 5 % 0.3120 0.0689 4.193 0.6296 0.3805 0.4724

Note: RD is recommended doses of NPK ( 1000g+ 500g+ 500g per tree )

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