MANAGEMENT OF NUTRIENTS IN CITRUS PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN FLORIDA: AN OVERVIEW

Authors: HE, Z - ZHEJIANG UNIV. CHINA; CALVERT, D - UNIV. OF FLORIDA; Alva, Ashok; LI, Y - UNIV. OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida Proceedings
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/1999
Publication Date: 4/1/2000
Citation: HE, Z.L., CALVERT, D.V., ALVA, A.K., LI, Y.C. MANAGEMENT OF NUTRIENTS IN CITRUS PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN FLORIDA: AN OVERVIEW. SOIL AND CROP SCIENCE SOCIETY OF FLORIDA PROCEEDINGS. 59:2-10. 2000.

Interpretive Summary: Annual production of citrus in Florida amounts to over $1.6 billion. fertilization and irrigation play important roles in the sustainable production of citrus. Because of increased concern over water quality, improved agricultural practices to increase nutrient utilization efficiency and to minimize nutrient loss are required. Citrus (Citrus spp.) trees have been grown in Florida for nearly 500 yr, and application of fertilizer to citrus can be traced back to the late 1800s. From the 1930s to the early 1980s, studies were conducted to understand the effects of fertilization on yield and quality of citrus. The information and knowledge generated during that period are still useful in guiding current citrus fertilization practices. Since the introduction of irrigation practices in the 1980s, the interactions of irrigation and fertilization on citrus production and water quality have become a major focus of research. Studies on best management practices (BMPs) in the 1990s has added more to our understanding of citrus production with regard to water quality as affected by water and nutrient management. Progress also has been made in the development of optimized fertilization programs to enhance citrus production and to minimize impact on water quality. Future studies need to be directed to integrated approaches to optimize fertilization and irrigation programs and to increase the soil's holding capacity for nutrients and water, thereby reducing nutrient leaching and subsequent contamination to surface and ground water.

Technical Abstract: Annual production of citrus in Florida amounts to over $1.6 billion. Fertilization and irrigation play important roles in the sustainable production of citrus. Because of increased concern over water quality, improved agricultural practices to increase nutrient utilization efficiency and to minimize nutrient loss are required. Citrus (Citrus spp.) trees have been grown in Florida for nearly 500 yr, and application of fertilizer to citrus can be traced back to the late 1800s. From the 1930s to the early 1980s, studies were conducted to understand the effects of fertilization on yield and quality of citrus. The information and knowledge generated during that period are still useful in guiding current citrus fertilization practices. Since the introduction of irrigation practices in the 1980s, the interactions of irrigation and fertilization on citrus production and water quality have become a major focus of research. Studies on best management practices (BMPs) in the 1990s has added more to our understanding of citrus production with regard to water quality as affected by water and nutrient management. Progress also has been made in the development of optimized fertilization programs to enhance citrus production and to minimize impact on water quality. Future studies need to be directed to integrated approaches to optimize fertilization and irrigation programs and to increase the soil's holding capacity for nutrients and water, thereby reducing nutrient leaching and subsequent contamination to surface and ground water.