HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bingham, F. T. Articles by Martin, J. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bingham, F. T. Articles by Martin, J. P. Agricola Articles by Bingham, F. T. Articles by Martin, J. P.

Effects of Soil Phosphorus on Growth and Minor Element Nutrition of Citrus¹

ABSTRACT

The effect of phosphorus fertilization of three different soils on the growth and minor element nutrition of citrus was evaluated in greenhouse studies. These soils were collected from uncultivated areas in San Diego County, Calif., where citrus had benefited from P fertilization. The soils were placed in 3-gallon crocks and treated with monocalcium phosphate in amounts equivalent to 0, 76, 360, and 900 lbs. P per acre. Budded lemons and/or sour orange seedlings were subsequently planted in these soils. After 6 months of growth the plant tops were harvested, weighed, and analyzed. In later experiments the soils were pretreated with Cu at the rate of 20 ppm. Cu, and tested for P interrelations using only sour orange seedlings as indicator plants.

Severe Cu deficiencies were induced in the citrus plants by as little as 360 lbs. P per acre. Plant growth in the soils treated with high concentrations of P was greatly reduced when compared to that of the controls. Typical symptoms of Cu deficiency as well as markedly reduced leaf Cu values were associated with the heavy P treatments. Pretreating the soil with Cu at the rate of 20 ppm. Cu only partially modified the P-Cu effect. Zinc absorption also was reduced by excessive P fertilization. Iron and Mn appeared to be unaffected.

¹ Paper No. 899, University of California Citrus Exp. Sta., Riverside, Calif. Presented before Div. IV, Soil Science Society of America, Davis, Calif., Aug. 1955.

² Assistant Chemist and Associate Chemist, respectively.

Received for publication July 18, 1955.