A review: Nutrient deficiencies and physiological disorders of citrus

Abstract

Nutrient refers to all those compounds required by an organism as a source of body building material and energy, without which, it will not be able to complete its life cycle. The nutrient elements required by the plants are classified into macro and micronutrients, the former being required in larger quantities and the latter in smaller doses. Lack of any one of these elements is reflected in defective growth or yellowing of leaves. Micro-nutrient deficiencies in Indian orchard soils have been increased in recent years and quite extensive, especially of Zn, Fe, B. Citrus is a nutrient sensitive and responsive fruit crop and requires adequate nutrition for proper growth and development. There are a number of disorders caused by some micronutrients in fruits like ‘fruit cracking’ in citrus due to ‘B’ deficiency, ‘die-back of citrus due to ‘Cu’ deficiency, ‘interveinal chlorosis’ in citrus due to ‘Fe’ deficiency, Frenching or foliocellosis or mottle leaf in citrus due to ‘Zn’ deficiency, ‘yellow spot’ disease in citrus due to ‘Mo’ deficiency. The deficiencies may be caused either by the lack of a particular element in the soil or by its fixation in the soil, thus becoming not available to the plant. Important nutrient deficiencies and physiological disorders of citrus and its management are summarized below.