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Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3rd Edition

Kelly T. Morgan and Davie M. Kadyampakeni

Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3rd Edition is an update of UF/IFAS Bulletin SP169, which provided guidelines for Florida citrus fertilization since 1995. The objective of the original edition was to provide background information and recommendations to develop a sound citrus nutrition program that optimizes financial returns while sustaining yields and maintaining soil and water quality. The second edition maintained that objective as it incorporated the findings of numerous citrus nutrition research projects conducted since the mid-1990s.

The information provided in the 2nd edition is still sound for healthy citrus trees under Florida production conditions. Much of the information provided in this document on nutrients, application methods, leaf and soil sampling, and irrigation scheduling are also effective for uanglongbing (HLB) affected citrus trees caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). However, research conducted since HLB was detected in Florida in 2005 has established changes in many production practices including nutrient rates, irrigation scheduling, soil pH management, and use of Citrus Undercover Protective Screens (CUPS). On the PDF version, changes to the 2nd edition of SL253 will appear in colored boxes at the beginning of chapters 2, 6, 8, 9, and 11.

Supplemental information on subjects related to citrus nutrition appear in extensive appendices. Color plates depicting nutrient deficiencies and toxicities and a key to mineral deficiency symptoms in citrus are included to aid in visual analysis of tree nutritional status.

A copy of Nutrition of Florida Citrus Trees, 3rd Edition can be accessed by clicking on this link or the PDF icon on the top right corner of the page. The topic page for this book features links to the individual chapters available on EDIS.

Dedication

The first edition of this publication was dedicated to emeritus citrus research scientists Drs. Robert C. J. Koo, Ivan Stewart, and Herman Reitz, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, Lake Alfred and Paul Smith, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Orlando. Their research contributions laid the foundation for citrus nutrition programs in Florida. The editors of the second edition dedicate it to an additional group of emeritus citrus research scientists, extension specialists, and educators: Drs. David P. H. Tucker, Larry K. Jackson, and T. Adair Wheaton, CREC-Lake Alfred; Dr. David V. Calvert, Indian River Research and Education Center, Ft. Pierce; and Dr. Heinz Wutscher, USDA-ARS, Orlando. The second edition was edited by Drs. Thomas Obreza (professor, Department of Soil and Water Sciences in Gainesville, then and now Senior Associate Dean of Extension) and Kelly Morgan (assistant professor, UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center-Immokalee then, and now center director and professor). Their many years of devoted service furthered our knowledge of nutrient management as the Florida citrus industry entered the era of Best Management Practices and started contending with emerging threats including citrus greening, or huanglongbing.

Contributing Authors

L. Gene Albrigo University of Florida, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Fernando Alferez University of Florida, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Brian J. Boman University of Florida, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center

Mary E. Collins University of Florida, UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences

James J. Ferguson, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department

Rhuanito Ferrarezi, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center

Stephen H. Futch, UF/IFAS Extension Multi-County Citrus

Jim Graham University of Florida, Professor Emeritus

Said Hamido, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Edward A. Hanlon, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Evan Johnson, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Davie M. Kadyampakeni, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Kelly T. Morgan, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center

Thomas A. Obreza, UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences

Lawrence R. Parsons, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Arnold W. Schumann, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Tripti Vashisth, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

Mongi Zekri, UF/IFAS Extension Multi-County Citrus

With Additional Contributions by

Ashok K. Alva US Department of Agriculture—Agricultural Research Service

David V. Calvert, UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (retired)

Frederick S. Davies, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department (retired)

Larry K. Jackson, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department (retired)

David P. H. Tucker, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (retired)

T. Adair Wheaton, UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (retired)

Heinz Wutscher US Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (retired)

Acknowledgements

The editors gratefully acknowledge the reviewers of the second edition of publication (Mark Colbert, Fred Davies, Hugh English, John Jackson, Chris Oswalt, Mark Ritenour, Steve Smith, Jerry Southwell, Jack Zorn, and all contributing authors) for their time, effort, and suggestions for improvement. The editors are also grateful to the contributions of the reviewers of the third edition, including Dr. Tripti Vashisth, Ms. Laurie Hurner, and Mr. Chris Oswalt.

The printing of this guide was made possible through funding provided by the State Legislative Funding for the UF/IFAS Citrus Initiative.

Peer Reviewed

Publication #SL253

Release Date:May 4, 2020

Reviewed At:April 24, 2023

Related Experts

Kadyampakeni, Davie M.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Morgan, Kelly T.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label.

Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.

Fact Sheet

About this Publication

This document is SL253, one of a series of the This document is SL253, one of a series of the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date October 2007. Revised March 2020. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Kelly T. Morgan, professor; Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, and center director, UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center; and Davie M. Kadyampakeni, assistant professor, Department of Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS CREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Kelly Morgan