Articles
Another tool to improve resilience to HLB? Improvement of root growth of Valencia oranges with the addition of potassium nitrate and iodine in fertigation
Article number
1457_88
Pages
699 – 710
Language
English
Abstract
Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening is an extremely destructive disease and the most serious threat to the citrus industry worldwide.
There is no cure, but well-balanced plant nutrition helps to prolong the productivity of HLB-affected trees.
Iodine (I) is a plant micronutrient that plays a role in root growth and in abiotic stress resilience in horticultural crops.
KNO3 is a water-soluble source of potassium (K) and nitric-nitrogen (N-NO3), with both nutrients directly available for the plant.
This work describes the co-application of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and I to improve root growth of citrus trees in Florida.
Hypothetically, preventing I-deficiency in the plant can help prevent the decline in root growth of infected citrus trees.
Two balanced nutrient solutions containing KNO3 with or without I were compared to each other and to a local practice fertilizer recipe without I. Uptake of I and its effect on root growth were studied on potted Valencia orange trees in a RCB trial design.
Total plant weight was 33-39% greater when KNO3 was a K and N source in the recipe.
KNO3 with increased concentrations of I in roots, leaves, and twigs, and improved leaf NDVI. Fibrous root growth was improved significantly only when I was included with KNO3. In a next trial in an HLB-infected orchard, KNO3 with or without I in the nutrient solution resulted in 16% resp. 9% more solids (kg ha‑1) compared to the local practice.
There is no cure, but well-balanced plant nutrition helps to prolong the productivity of HLB-affected trees.
Iodine (I) is a plant micronutrient that plays a role in root growth and in abiotic stress resilience in horticultural crops.
KNO3 is a water-soluble source of potassium (K) and nitric-nitrogen (N-NO3), with both nutrients directly available for the plant.
This work describes the co-application of potassium nitrate (KNO3) and I to improve root growth of citrus trees in Florida.
Hypothetically, preventing I-deficiency in the plant can help prevent the decline in root growth of infected citrus trees.
Two balanced nutrient solutions containing KNO3 with or without I were compared to each other and to a local practice fertilizer recipe without I. Uptake of I and its effect on root growth were studied on potted Valencia orange trees in a RCB trial design.
Total plant weight was 33-39% greater when KNO3 was a K and N source in the recipe.
KNO3 with increased concentrations of I in roots, leaves, and twigs, and improved leaf NDVI. Fibrous root growth was improved significantly only when I was included with KNO3. In a next trial in an HLB-infected orchard, KNO3 with or without I in the nutrient solution resulted in 16% resp. 9% more solids (kg ha‑1) compared to the local practice.
Publication
Authors
K. Hora, H.T. Holwerda
Keywords
citrus greening, beneficial micronutrient, fertilizer, resilience, yield, KNO3
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