Professor Chen Lun-shou, a senior advisor at the Sinochem Fertilizer Agricultural University R&D Center, emphasizes that citrus trees are high-nutrient-demanding fruit trees, requiring roughly twice as much nitrogen and potassium as deciduous fruit trees. This means that the overall fertilizer application is substantial, and proper nutrient management is essential for a successful harvest.
To ensure good yields, balanced fertilization must be prioritized. According to the nutritional needs of citrus trees, foliar feeding with liquid fertilizers is also highly recommended.
Reporter: Professor Chen, citrus fruits are a major crop in our country. For agriculture and technology to drive economic growth, it's crucial to apply fertilizers wisely. Could you explain the growth characteristics of citrus trees?
Expert: Of course. Citrus, including oranges and grapefruits, is known for its early fruiting, long productive life, and heavy flowering. Throughout the year, citrus trees typically produce spring, summer, and autumn shoots. In warmer winters, they may even produce winter shoots. Therefore, they don’t have a clear dormant phase. Their root systems are well-developed, with fine roots mainly concentrated in the top 15 to 40 cm of soil.
Reporter: To help farmers apply the right fertilizers, could you outline the key nutritional traits of citrus trees?
Expert: The nutrient uptake of citrus trees is a critical factor in determining the appropriate fertilizer formula. Nutrient requirements vary significantly depending on the level of production. Citrus trees require a large amount of nitrogen and potassium, about double that of most deciduous fruit trees. This makes them heavy feeders and necessitates careful and timely fertilization.
Reporter: What are the key points for applying fertilizers to achieve high yields?
Expert: Yes. The main techniques for fertilizing citrus trees involve four to five applications annually, based on their growth cycles. One is the base fertilizer, also known as the fruit pluck fertilizer, and the rest are top dressings—such as the budding fertilizer, fruit-setting fertilizer, and strong-fruit fertilizer. The fruit-setting period can last several months, so one or two additional applications are often beneficial.
Base fertilizer is usually applied before or immediately after fruit harvesting. It primarily consists of organic materials combined with available nitrogen. Ideally, this should be done within a month before the soil temperature drops below 10°C. Applying base fertilizer promptly after harvest helps restore tree vigor, promote flower bud development, enrich fruiting branches, enhance cold resistance, and lay the foundation for the next season’s yield.
Reporter: Timely application of base fertilizer is crucial for the upcoming season. How should top dressing be managed during the coming year?
Expert: Top dressing plays a vital role in balancing vegetative and reproductive growth. Based on the nutritional needs of citrus trees, it is typically divided into three to four applications.
(1) Budding fertilizer is applied when spring shoots begin to grow, usually between mid-February and early March. Its main purpose is to support healthy flowering and shoot development. At this stage, nitrogen is the primary nutrient, with limited phosphorus and potassium.
(2) The fruit-stabilizing fertilizer is applied during the late flowering period, following the first physiological fruit drop. This stage, which occurs in May and June, aims to improve fruit set. During this time, excessive nitrogen should be avoided, as it can stimulate unwanted summer shoot growth and lead to fruit drop. Foliar sprays are more effective for protecting the fruit.
(3) Strong-fruit fertilizer is applied from July to September. This period coincides with rapid fruit growth, the development of autumn shoots, and the formation of flower buds. It is a critical phase for both current and future yields. At this stage, the focus should be on chemical fertilizers with increased potassium content to support fruit quality and tree health.
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