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Title: DYNAMICS OF NUTRIENT UPTAKE DURING ROOT AND SHOOT GROWTH IN THREE DIVERSE CITRUS ROOTSTOCK CULTIVARS

Author
item Albano, Joseph
item Bausher, Michael
item Evens, Terence
item Bowman, Kim

Submitted to: Florida Scientist
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2005
Publication Date: 2/11/2005
Citation: Albano, J.P., Bausher, M.G., Evens, T.J., Bowman, K.D. 2005. Dynamics of nutrient uptake during root and shoot growth in three diverse citrus rootstock cultivars. Florida Scientist. 68:7-8.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To reduce the risk of nutrient contamination of surface and groundwater in citrus production fields, research was initiated to better define nutrient requirements of citrus and the relationship between method of fertilization (i.e., soil vs. foliar applied) and citrus growth. Nutrient uptake patterns in three genetically diverse citrus rootstock cultivars: Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi Macf. X Poncirus trifoliata [L.] Raf.), Volkamer lemon (C. volkameriana Ten. and Pasq.), and Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus.reticulata Blanco), under different environmental and nutritional conditions during episodes of root and shoot growth was determined. Plants were grown hydroponically in an aerated, complete nutrient solution in a greenhouse. Nutrient solutions were changed weekly and analyzed to determine nutrient depletion. Weekly, shoot and root growth was measured non-destructively by subtracting plant fresh weight with roots submerged in water from total plant fresh weight. Increased uptake of Ca, K, P and Mg and micronutrients Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn preceded initiation of shoot growth for all rootstock cultivars by 7 to 14 days. As comparison of weighted means, the qualitative pattern of uptake over the course of a shoot growth episode was similar for Ca and K, P and Mg, and Zn and Fe. Copper uptake was the most erratic, showing no distinct pattern during shoot growth. During shoot growth the greatest quantitative uptake of macronutrients, was for Ca and K, and of the micronutrients, Mn.