SYNTHETIC FERTILIZERS AND VERMICOMPOST IN YOUTH PERSIAN LEMON TREES (Citrus latifolia Tan) PERSIAN LEMON

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the fertilization with vermicompost and NPK mineral fertilizer in Young lemon Persian lemon tree.

Design/methodology/approach: To develop the experiment, a random block design with eight treatments and four repetitions was established. The treatments were the following: T1: 0 kg/tree, T2: 90-22.5-22.5 N-P-K kg/ha, T3: 2 kg/vermicompost tree, T4: 3 kg/vermicompost tree, T5: 4 kg/vermicompost tree, T6: 90-22.5-22.5 N-P-K kg/ha + 2 kg/vermicompost tree, T7: 90-22.5-22.5 N-P-K kg/ha + 3 kg/vermicompost tree; T8: 90-22.5-22.5 N-P-K kg/ha + 4 kg/vermicompost tree. The study variables were: tree height, stem thickness, Crown diameter from North to South (N-S) and East to West (E-W), soil pH and soil moisture (%). The data were analyzed statistically by applying the MINITAB v. 17 statistics through an ANOVA (P≤0.05), was used to compare means, multivariate analysis.

Results: Persian lemon trees treated with 4kg/tree of vermicompost (T5) were different in the following variables: tree height and crown diameter. Vermicompost treatments combined with NPK mineral fertilizer showed a similar development in the tree canopy compared to T5.

Limitations on study/implications: Conventional lemon production uses synthetic fertilizers indiscriminately, causing the contamination of natural resources. A nutritional alternative for the lemon tree is the use of organic fertilizers.

Findings/conclusions: Vermicompost treatment is efficient in maintaining adequate soil moisture content in the dry season allowing better growth better growth and development Persian lemon tree.