Various sources can provide zinc if needed. Zinc sulfate (35% zinc) is usually used to provide the required amount of zinc when using chemical fertilizers. This material can be spread and incorporated before planting, or used in starter fertilizer. This combination can be well combined with other dry fertilizers. Approximately 1.36 kg of zinc sulfate provides 1 liter of zinc per hectare.
Applying this type of fertilizer to zinc foliage consistently has not been effective in correcting deficiencies of this nutrient. This method of application should only be used experimentally. To use this fertilizer on the leaves, zinc sulfate powder can be dissolved in water and applied on the tissue of the leaves. When the rate of 76 liters of water per hectare is used, the dissolved amount should be 0.23 to 0.45 kg of zinc per hectare.
Zinc deficiency significantly reduces the growth and yield potential of citrus fruits. As experiments on citrus fruit (especially oranges) show, the low level of zinc causes a decrease in the number and size of fruit per tree, and as a result of this deficiency, the yield decreases.
Fertilizers containing zinc are used on the soil and foliage of trees; This type of fertilization is effective in increasing the yield of citrus fruits. In some studies, after using zinc sulfate on citrus fruits, especially in the case of oranges and grapefruits, researchers have also reported an increase in the amount of water in the fruits.
Zinc also increases the amount of ascorbic acid in fruits. In case of severe zinc deficiency, the fruits may be misshapen, their water content will be reduced, and the water in them will also lack taste.
Initially, zinc deficiency symptoms appear as chlorotic spots on the leaves (“leaf aphid”) and/or white interveinal areas. The new leaves are remarkably stunted because the inner branches are shortened. It is possible to correct the problem in the rear leaves by spraying fertilizers containing zinc (such as zinc sulfate) on the foliage.
General guidelines for zinc application
The main role of zinc is as a co-factor of enzymes and involved in the production of growth regulators related to internal elongation and chloroplast development. Zinc deficiency significantly reduces growth and yield potential. The low level of zinc causes a decrease in the number of fruits per tree and even the size of the fruits becomes small and ultimately causes a decrease in yield. The use of this fertilizer on soil and foliage are both effective in increasing the yield of citrus fruits.
The role of sulfur in citrus production
In addition to zinc, sulfur is also required in citrus production (albeit in relatively small amounts), but when resources are limited, sulfur has a direct impact on citrus yield. In addition to zinc sulfate, there is often enough sulfur in N-P-K fertilizers, micronutrient formulations, or irrigation water to meet crop needs.
Sulfur is one of the important elements of enzymes and other proteins and is needed for the formation of chlorophyll in the production of citrus fruits. Sulfur is also required for the synthesis of the essential amino acids cysteine and methionine.
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