College of Agriculture

University of Sargodha, Sargodha

Department of Horticulture
Synopsis for the M.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture
Title: Influence of foliar sprays of nutrients on yield and yield accrediting characters of citrus

Name of student : Qasim Nazir

Registration No. : 16F-US-AGR-232

ABSTRACT
Citrus (Citrus sinensis L.) is one of the important fruit crop of the world, occupied third
position among the sub-tropical fruits. From the citron, other hybrid citrus species began
springing up such as oranges, lemons, limes, pomelos, mandarins and others. Spanish travelers
introduced the sweet orange to the American continent, while it is believed that Christopher
Columbus brought citrus seeds to be planted on the Island of Haiti on his second voyage in the
year of 1493. Therefore, an effective method is needed to increase the yield and productivity of
citrus. The present study will focus on the influence of foliar sprays of nutrients on yield and
yield acidities characters of citrus plants. For this purpose, foliar sprays of different nutrients will
be applied on plants. The experiment will be conducted using a randomized complete block
design (RCBD). The parameters such as fruit set (%), number of fruits per plant, yield per tree,
fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, TSS (brix), acidity (%) and TSS / acid ratio will be
studied. The collected data will be analyzed statistically by using the proper software.

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 College of Agriculture
University of Sargodha, Sargodha
Department of Horticulture
Synopsis for the M.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture
Title: Influence of foliar sprays of nutrients on yield and yield acidities characters of citrus

Date of admission : 07.11.2020

Date of initiation : 09.11.2020

Probable duration : 02 Years

PERSONAL

Name of student : Qasim Nazir

Registration No. : 16F-US-AGR-232

Supervisor : Ms. Shahla Rashid

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

1. Supervisor
Ms. Shahla Rashid _____________________
Lecturer (Horticulture)

2. Co-supervisor
Dr. Rai Mukkram Ali _____________________
Associate Professor (Soil Science)

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1. Introduction

Citrus, often called as a grumes (acidic fruits), is among the world's most important
tropical fruits, with worldwide distribution and demand contributed to human nutrition (Liu et
al., 2012). It belongs to the acid fruit family and is generally eaten as a fresh fruit The most
common and commercially popular 'limes', the Persian limes, are Key lime/lemon hybrids that
combine the genetic lineages of four ancestral citrus species: mandarin, pomelo, citron and
micrantha. While most other citrus is diploid, many of the Key lime hybrid progeny have
unusual chromosome numbers. There are over 100 different varieties of citrus fruits. Citrus fruits
such as lemons and limes can be so sour, they make your mouth pucker (Bhatt et al., 2016).
Citrus, genus of plants belonging to the family Rutaceae and yielding pulpy fruits covered
with fairly thick skins. Economically important plants in this group include the lemon
(C.×limon), lime (C.×aurantiifolia), sweet orange (C.×sinensis), sour orange (C.×aurantium),
tangerine (C.reticulata), grapefruit (C.×paradisi), citron (C.medica), and shaddock (C. maxima).
Citrus fruits are rich in multiple nutrients such as vitamin C, flavonoids, and fiber which confer
vascular protection, reduce inflammation, improve gastrointestinal function and health, and play
an important role in preventing conditions like diabetes, cancer, neurological disease etc. Citron
is one of the oldest kinds of citrus fruits and was used as parent species in the genetic breeding of
many other important citrus fruits. It is often candied and used in desserts, as the citron is mostly
rind and offers little or no juice. The citron is a slow-growing tree with leathery leaves and spines
(Surampudi et al., 2016, Stevens et al., 2019).
Their benefits have been celebrated since ancient times. Thought to have originated from
Southeast Asia, citrus fruits were wildly popular wherever they spread. The citron (Citrus
medica) was and in many cases remains a prominent fixture in religious ceremonies and festivals
such as the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), which finds its roots as a festival thanksgiving
for the fruit harvest. The Greeks knew citrus fruits as “Thyon,” while the Romans called them
“Citrus” (Scora, 1975). From the citron, other hybrid citrus species began springing up such as
oranges, lemons, limes, pomelos, mandarins and others. Spanish travelers introduced the sweet
orange to the American continent, while it is believed that Christopher Columbus brought citrus
seeds to be planted on the Island of Haiti on his second voyage in the year of 1493. Wherever
they were found, precious citrus fruits were used as a fragrance and as a flavor added to sweets

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and tea. Citrus fruits were well known for their medicinal properties and were used to combat
sickness, intestinal ailments, skin conditions, gout, scurvy and even used as an antidote to poison
and as an antiseptic during times of plague (Mabberley, 2004).
Citrus (Citrus sinensis L.) is one of the important fruit crop of the world, occupied third
position among the sub-tropical fruits. It has a great nutritional role in our daily food
requirements, being a rich source of vitamin C (Gregory, 1993). Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one
of the most popular vitamins in the world. Citrus fruits are notably rich in vitamin C. This
vitamin is needed to form and maintain healthy skin, bones, blood vessels and connective tissues.
Vitamin C plays an important role in supporting the immune system and also acts as an
antioxidant that might help protect your cells against the effects of free radicals and fight
inflammation (Economos & Clay,1999).
Citrus is a nutrient loving plant, but growers of this region are not using micronutrient
fertilizers (Personnel communication with the citrus growers), which causes serious nutritional
disorders in citrus (Catara, 1987). Flavonoids are plant-based nutrients (phytonutrients)
responsible for the plant qualities such as its bright color and the familiar aroma. Citrus fruits
represent an important source of dietary flavonoids including hesperidin, hesperetin, naringin,
naringenin, diosmin, quercetin, rutin, nobiletin, tangeretin and others. Flavonoids also have
multiple therapeutic benefits (Mahmoud et al., 2019). Citrus fruits are also abundant in multiple
other nutrients, including potassium, folate, calcium, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus,
magnesium, copper, riboflavin and pantothenic acid, making consumption of citrus fruits as part
of a balanced diet is essential to our health (Hanley et al., 2011, Slavin & Lloyd, 2012). In 2019,
citrus fruit production for Pakistan was 2.29 million tonnes. Citrus fruit production of Pakistan
increased from 445,000 tonnes in 1970 to 2.29 million tonnes.
1.1 Need of Research Project
This research help us to take more yield and better quality of citrus fruit. By spraying
these nutrients on the citrus plant, we can encourage the number of fruit set. This research can
also help us to apply these nutrients in available form which can take the plant rapidly.
I.2 Research Objectives
I. To evaluate the best performance of nutrients spray for commercial growth of citrus.
II. To recommend the appropriate nutrition level for commercial production of citrus in
Sargodha.

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2. Review of Literature
Perveen & Rehman (2000) also concluded that foliar spray of Zn, Mn and B corrected the
deficiency symptoms and increased the citrus fruit yield. Keeping in view the unfavorable
physico-chemical conditions of our soils, it becomes necessary to supply micronutrients in
balanced amount through foliar spray and to raise citrus production. Asad et al. (2003) concluded
that the application of boron increases fruit set and yield by its role in pollen tube, germination
and elongation and enhances juice content.
Debage et al. (2011) evaluated that the foliar sprays of plant growth regulators and
nutrients not only improve the size but also enhances qualitative parameters. Results revealed
that two foliar spray of KNO3 2% and GA3 100 ppm increased fruit weight, fruit volume and
improved fruit quality. Maximum juice percentage, TSS and ascorbic acid content was obtained
whereas acidity and peel percentage was reduced resulting into better quality fruit. Potassium
nitrate (KNO3) is known for the development of fruit, movement of sugars and enhances internal
fruit quality. It was also observed increase in fruit weight with 2% KNO3 + GA3 100 ppm in acid
lime.
Jagtap et al. (2013) conducted a study on kagzi lime and found maximum ascorbic acid
content with GA3 50 ppm in kagzi lime. The results revealed that treatment T 4 GA3 50 mg/l
significantly increase yield attributing characters like fruit volume (47.90 cc), fruit diameter
(4.54 cm), fruit weight (47.40 g) and fruit yield per tree (46.38 kg). In case of number of fruits
per tree treatment NAA 200 mg/l significantly increased the number of fruits per tree (1020.33).
Quality attributing characters like total soluble solid (9.58°Brix.) and ascorbic acid content
(30.41 mg/100 g pulp) were significantly increased while number of seeds per fruit (6.13) and
acidity (7.05%) were significantly decreased under treatment GA3 50 mg/l. It was also reported
that the significant increase in the number of fruits per tree with the application of NAA 200 ppm
in kagzi lime. Lakshmi et al. (2014) evaluated that the higher TSS content in the treatments
involving plant growth regulators viz., GA3 and NAA might be due to the stimulation of the
functioning of enzymes involved in physiological processes and due to an increase in the
mobilization of carbohydrates from source to sink.
Singh & Kaur (2018) conducted a research at the Department of Horticulture
(Agriculture) Khalsa College, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsa. Their aim was to evaluate
the influence of foliar sprays on yield and quality of baramasi lemon. Maximum fruit length

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(5.95 cm) and breadth (5.60 cm) were recorded in the fruits harvested from plants treated with
GA3 25. Minimum fruit length (4.75 cm) and breadth (4.40 cm) were under control. Fruit
elongation and increase in fruit breadth might be due to cell division initially, and cell
enlargement in the later stages. Significant ascorbic acid content (54.21 mg/100ml juice) was
recorded in fruits obtained from the trees treated with treatment (GA3 25 ppm). The minimum
TSS acid ratio (1.30) was calculated in the plants treated with GA3 15 ppm. The maximum TSS:
acid ratio (1.49) was found under control. Acidity of fruits was increased by the application of all
the chemicals, however maximum reduction was noted with control. The treatment of GA3 25
ppm recorded the maximum acidity of 5.80 percent and 4.85 percent was recorded least under
control. NAA also showed an increase in acidity with the increased concentration. It is concluded
that the foliar spray of GA3 25 ppm proved to be the most effective treatment for maximizing the
fruit yield and improving the quality for baramasi lemon growers.
3. Materials and Methods
3.1 Experimental detail
3.1.1 Research area
The influence of foliar sprays of nutrients on yield and yield accrediting parameters of
citrus will be recorded. The experiment will lay down under a randomized complete block
design. The citrus plants present at the research area Department of Horticulture, College of
Agriculture, University of Sargodha.

3.1.2 Treatments of the experiment

Total number of treatments will be seven in this experiment. T=7
T1 Control
T2 ZnSO4 (0.25%)
T3 ZnSO4 (0.5%)
T4 FeSO4 (0.25%)
T5 FeSO4 (0.5%)
T6 Nitrogen (1 %) as urea
T7 Nitrogen (1.5%) as urea

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3.1.3 Replications

The experiment, contains the three number of replications.

3.2 Parameters data collection

Following their standard practices, data on the following parameters will be obtained
after foliar spraying of nutrients fertilizers.

 Fruit set (%)

 Number of fruits per plant
 Yield per tree (kg)
 Fruit weight (g)
 Fruit diameter (mm)
 Fruit length (mm)
 TSS (brix)
 Acidity (%)
 TSS / Acid ratio
 Contents of Zn in the fruit
 Contents of Fe in the fruit
 Contents of N in the fruit

3.3 Statistical analysis

The present experimental data will be analyzed statistically by using “R” software and
difference in mean verify by DMR test. The correlation among different morphological
parameters will also be studied.
References
Ahmed, M., Khan, M. F., Abdul, H. &Altaf, H. (2004). Effect of urea, DAP and FYM on growth
and flowering of dahlia. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 6(2), 393-395.
Asad, A., Blamey, F. P. C. & Edwards, D. G. (2003). Effects of boron foliar applications on
vegetative and reproductive growth of sunflower. Annals of Botany, 92(4), 565-570.
Catara, A. (1987). Compendium of citrus diseases and disorders in Pakistan. Results of a
preliminary survey. Agrotec SPA, Rome project for research and development in the
cultivation of fruit, vegetables and olives. PARC, Islamabad, Pakistan, 14-15.
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Debaje, P. P., Shinde, E. P. & Ingale, H. V. (2011). Effect of plant growth regulators and
nutrients on quality of acid lime (Citrus aurantifoliaSwingle). Asian Journal of
Horticulture, 6(1), 253-255.
Economos, C. & Clay, W.D. (1999). Nutritional and health benefits of citrus fruits. Energy
(kcal). 62(78), 37-40.
Embleton, T., Jones, W. W., Labanauskas, C. H. & Reuther, W. (1973). Leaf analysis as a
diagnostic tool and guide to fertilization,. Berkeley, CA, USA: University of California,
Div. Agriculture Sciences: In W. Reuther. 60(2), 183-210.
Hanley, M. J., Cancalon, P., Widmer, W. W. & Greenblatt, D. J. (2011). The effect of grapefruit
juice on drug disposition. Expert Opinion on Drug Detabolism and Toxicology, 7(3),
267-286.
Jagtap, V. M., Patel, H. C., Nehete, D. S. & Godage, S. S. (2013). Effect of foliar application of
plant growth regulators and micronutrients on yield and quality of acid lime cv. KAGZI
(Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). Asian Journal of Horticulture, 8(1), 57-59.
Lakshmi, M. L., Ramana, K. T. V., Krishna, V. S., Yuvaraj, K., Lakshmi, T. N., Sarada, G. &
Gopal, K. (2014). Effect of growth regulators and chemicals on fruit yield and quality of
Hasta Bahar flowering in acid lime (Citrus aurantifoliaSwingle) cv. Balaji. Research and
Reviews: International Journal of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, 3(3), 11-13.
Mabberley, D. J. (2004). Citrus (Rutaceae): a review of recent advances in etymology,
systematics and medical applications. Blumea-Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography
of Plants. 49(2-3), 481-98.
Mahmoud, A. M., Hernandez Bautista, R. J., Sandhu, M. A. & Hussein, O. E. (2019). Beneficial
effects of citrus flavonoids on cardiovascular and metabolic health. Oxidative Medicine
and Cellular Longevity, 5(1), 72-75.
Mann, M.S., J.S. Josan, G.S. Chohan & V.K. Vij, (1985). Effect of foliar application of
micronutrients on leaf composition, fruit yield and quality of sweet orange (Citrus
sinensis L.) cv. Blood red. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 42, 45-49.
Parveen, S. & Rehman, H. (2000). Effect of Zn, Mn and B in combination with urea on the yield
of sweet orange. Pakistan Journal of Agriculture Research, 16, 135-141.
Scora R. W. (1975). On the history and origin of Citrus. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club.
1, 369-375.

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Singh, J. & Kaur, A. (2018). Influence of foliar sprays on yield and quality of baramasi lemon.
International Journal of Advanced Research. 6(6), 293-298. 10.21474/IJAR01/7213.
Slavin, J. L. & Lloyd, B. (2012). Health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Advances in Nutrition,
3(4), 506-516.
Stevens, Y., Rymenant, E.V., Grootaert, C., Camp, J.V., Possemiers, S., Masclee, A. & Jonkers,
D. (2019). The intestinal fate of citrus flavanones and their effects on gastrointestinal
health nutrients. 11(7), 1464-1470.
Surampudi, P., Enkhmaa, B., Anuurad, E. & Berglund, L. (2016). Lipid lowering with soluble
dietary fiber. Current Atherosclerosis Reports, 18(12), 1-13.
Zech-Matterne V, Fiorentino G. (2017). Archaeology and history of citrus fruit in the
Mediterranean. Publications du Centre Jean Bérard, 7(5), 146-150.

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 DECLARATION

I solemnly declare that I have not been registered with any other university or institution for
M.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture other than the University of Sargodha.

Dated _______________________ Signature of applicant _______________________

It is certified that the research topic and synopsis have been prepared according to the approved
format of University. It is also certified that applicant has not been registered as M.Sc. (Hons.)
Horticulture student in any other University or Institute. Moreover, no research was made on the
prepared topic “Influence of foliar sprays of nutrients on yield and yield acidities characters of
citrus” previously.

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE

1. Supervisor
Ms. Shahla Rashid _____________________
Lecturer (Horticulture)

2. Co-supervisor
Dr. Rai Mukkram Ali _____________________
Associate Professor (Soil Science)

REVIEWED AND WITNESSED

Chairman Principal
Department of Horticulture College of Agriculture
College of Agriculture, UOS University of Sargodha, Sargodha

Dean
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Sargodha, Sargodha

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