NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND LEACHING ON CITRUS NURSERY PRODUCTION IN SUBSTRATE WITH TWO FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

This experiment was conducted to evaluate nutrient uptake by Valencia sweet orange nursery production and the effect of two fertilizer systems on losses of nutrient by leaching. Plants were grown on 5 L pots of a substrate containing composted pinus bark and vermiculite. Nutrients were supplied by fertigation and slow release fertilizer Nutrient uptake was determined every month up to 250 days after transplanting. Leached solution was collected weekly and analyzed for pH, EC and nutrients. The results indicated the possibility of producing good citrus nursery trees either using fertigation or slow release fertilizers with correct management of these treatments. Monitoring EC of leached solutions was an efficient practice to avoid excessive or deficient nutrient supply. Fertilizer management has to be improved to avoid excessive coast ant environmental hazards.