FOLIAR AND SOIL-APPLIED MICRONUTRIENTS IMPROVE YIELD AND QUALITY OF KINNOW (Citrus reticulata Blanco).

The current study was carried out in order to assess the effects of micronutrients (B, Fe, Zn) on the yield and quality of Kinnow (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Citrus is an important fruit crop of Pakistan and micronutrients are not only important for yield and quality of citrus but also for the human health. This experiment consisted of different soil treatments and foliar applications of B, Zn and Fe either alone or in combinations. The results revealed that the highest concentrations of these three micronutrients in soil were found where 20 g B, 40 g Zn and 100 g Fe were applied per plant, respectively through soil application. The highest concentrations of these micronutrients in the leaves of Kinnow were found in the individual treatments of foliar spray of 0.03 % B, 0.1 % Zn and 0.25 % Fe, respectively, followed by the combined application of B, Zn and Fe with concentration of 0.03%, 0.1% and 0.25%. Soil that had combined treatment, B: 10 g plant-1, Zn: 20 g plant-1, Fe: 50 g plant-1 gave the highest yield of fruit and juice content. Fruit drop was the highest in control and the lowest for 20 g B soil application. Total sugars, reducing sugars and TSS were the highest for 40 g Zn as soil application, followed by the combined treatment of B:10 g plant-1, Zn:20 g plant-1, Fe:50 g plant-1 . The non-reducing sugars were the highest in the case of combined soil application of B, Zn and Fe. It is concluded that the micronutrients application is a suitable approach for increasing the quality and yield of Kinnow [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]