Response of Valencia orange trees to some biofertilization treatments 1- Yield component and vegetative growth density

M. Diab El-Deeb**; M. Mahmoud Sourour **; Fayez G. Nakhlla* Hany A. El-Alakmy** and Mohamed A.Fouad*

Abstract

The present investigation has been carried out on Valencia orange (Citrus sinenses) trees budded on sour orange rootstock during the successive seasons of 2010 and 2011. Thirty six trees, fifteen years old, were used in this investigation.. Each treatment was represented by 9 trees ( 3 replicates each of 3 trees). Biofertilization treatments gave promising effects and significant increases by treatment No.(3) which involved combination of three biofertilizers namely (Microbein + Phosphorein+ Potassein) .This treatment was the leader one and occupied the first rank in this respect and significantly improved the following features (fruit set, fruit weight and total gained yield/tree ) and enhanced the vegetative growth activities (shoot length and thickness, new leaves production and increased the tree canopy volume), as well as, increased the leaf mineral contents(N,P,K and Fe). The treatment No.(2) is a combination of ( Nitrobein +Microbein+Potassein) came in the second rank and gave significant effect on the ( fruit set , fruit weight,, and juice volume ,TSS,TSS/acid ratio and ascorbic acid contents ,also total gained yield /tree as compared with control ) .Similarly, activated the vegetative growth vigor ( shoot length and thickness ,leaf area and tree canopy volume) and recorded the uppermost values for (leaf N, P, K, Fe, Zn, and Mn concentrations). In the third rank, came treatment No. (1) (Nitrobein+Phosphorein+Potassein) which significantly increased some features such as (fruit set ,fruit number/tree ,fruit weight as well as ,total gained yield/tree ) . Also, improved fruit juice volume, TSS, TSS/acid ratio and ascorbic acid content. Furthermore, vigorous vegetative growth (increased shoot length and thickness, new leaves number and tree canopy volume as compared by control. In addition more significant leaf minerals contents (N, P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn) was achieved

Key words

biofertilization - citrus - vegetative growth -fruit quality -fruit yeild