International Conference on Biological, Civil and Environmental Engineering (BCEE-2014) March 17-18, 2014 Dubai (UAE)

Nutrient Dynamics in Blood Red' Sweet

Orange as Affected by Fungicides Soil
Drenching
Basharat Ali Saleem, Aman Ullah Malik, and Muhammad Azher Nawaz

AbstractDamaged root system of sweet oranges in PunjabPakistan has been suspected to affect nutrient uptake due to rough
lemon (Citrus jambheri Lush.) rootstock susceptible to soil born
fungal diseases and might be one of the main reasons of low
productivity of sweet oranges. A block of Blood Red sweet orange
(Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) grafted onto rough lemon (Citrus jambheri
Lush.) rootstock, with low yielding (200-250 fruit tree-1) trees ranging
between 12-15 years age, was selected for this research work growing
at Experimental Fruit Garden Sq. # 9, Institute of Horticultural
Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Punjab Pakistan. The
main objective of the research was to induce the sweet oranges in
main streamline of citrus industry by improving their root health by
fungicides treatments ultimately enhancing mineral nutrient uptake
from soil. The experiment was laid out according to RCBD replicated
thrice, taking single tree as a treatment unit. The fungicides used in the
experiment were Ridomil Gold (Metalaxyl) and Alliette (Fosetyl-Al)
alone, in combination with each other and Copper sulphate (CuSO4)
making 9 treatments including control. Periodic changes in nutritional
status of tree leaf macronutrients (N, P and K) as well as
micronutrients (Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) from flowering through fruit
set were monitored at fortnight intervals in relation to different
fungicides treatments. During two years trials a detailed data was
collected. The fungicides treatments improved nutrient uptake by
correcting the health of root system and had profound effect on health
and vigour of trees under trial. It was further revealed by enhancement
of fruit quality and yield of treated trees compared with control. It was
concluded from the trial that best management practices could
improve yield and quality of sweet oranges emphasizing on health of
root system.
KeywordsDrenching, nutrient dynamics, nutrinets uptake,
nutritional status.

Basharat Ali Saleem, Agriculture Extension, Punjab Agriculture

Department Pakistan (+92-300-7705152, mail: bashsratuaf@yahoo.com).
Aman Ullah Malik, Postharvest Research & Training Centre (PRTC),
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad,
Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Azher Nawaz, Department of Horticulture, University College
of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. (+92-300-6859364;
e-mail:azher490@hotmail.com).

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