Correlation and interrelationship of soil and leaf nutrients with plant growth and fruit quality in Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to study the relationships between soil and leaf nutrient status for Nagpur mandarin and attempt to understand the same in relation to plant health and soil management aspects. It is strongly positively correlated with leaf nitrogen and leaf phosphorus, mainly because nitrogen is involved in the formation of amino acids, while phosphorus is essential for energy transfer. Similarly, soil N and P were positively correlated, having common sources or fertilization practices. The study indicates synergistic effects of nutrients such that, for example, leaf P is significantly related to Cu, which can enhance copper uptake. Soil Zn was correlated with soil N and leaf N, respectively, indicating zinc importance for nitrogen metabolism and plant vigour. The study also indicated moderate correlations of the soil and leaf copper and low manganese (Mn) correlations, thus revealing complex interactions, probably under the influence of soil pH and organic matter. Sugars, leaf nutrients, and physical characteristics strongly contributed to the variation as showed by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The area of leaves had a strong correlation with leaf chlorophyll content, closely tied to yield parameters, clearly demonstrating that an optimum crop production system depends on the nutrient status. The study concluded that all these nutrient dynamics are important to design sustainable agronomic practices in a way that crops are grown for enhanced productivity, minimizing environmental degradation. Proper nutrient management has to be designed in such a way that the intricate interactions mainly between phosphorus and copper support plant growth and development.