NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES AND USE OF SOIL TESTING AND LEAF ANALYSIS AS BASIS FOR MINERAL FERTILIZATION FOR ORANGES IN EGYPT

A diagnostic survey of nutritional status of oranges (Soil and Leaf analysis and visual symptoms) was carried out in Egypt during the years 1978–1982.

Leaf analysis and visual symptoms revealed that a large number of orchards in different governorates were suffering from micronutrient deficiencies.
In some, deficiencies of Zn or Mn or both in the soil were recorded.

Different chelated micronutrient formulations were produced and tested.
According to diagnostic criteria either a Mn or a Zn stressed formula was used: (Mn:Zn:Fe=3:2:1 or 2:3:1). Where Fe was not a serious problem, comparable results were obtained with mixture of Mn,Zn,Fe sulphates used in the same ratios but in higher concentrations.
Increases due to improved Mn,Zn,Fe application were recorded.

Since 1982, a program has been introduced for the first time in Egypt whose cost is partially paid by the individual farmer which consists of: Soil and leaf analysis services + recommendations for fertilizer requirements covering macro and micro-elements to provide the needed micro-element fertilizers according to the analysis indicated.

During the first two years, 1982 and 1983, of the program approximately 2 000 and 4 000 feddans (one feddan = 4 200 m²) of land were respectively covered.
The average increase in yield over that of some orchards fertilized according to farmers’ practices or other recommendations ranged between 1–3 tons/feddan.
Participation fee for this "Multiplier Development Program" in 1982 and 1983 was EE 8 and 10, respectively.
The price of oranges on the farm ranged in 1983 between EE 120 – 150 per ton.

X African Symposium on Horticultural Crops

M. El-Fouly

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1985.158.37