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Asian Journal of Crop Science

Year: 2018 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 86-92
DOI: 10.3923/ajcs.2018.86.92
Remedying Zn Deficiency in Mango Orchards with Foliar Spays
Khemira Habib , Taieb Tounekti , Mosbah Mahdhi , Desam Nagarjuna Reddy, Essa Makhasha and Abderrahman Jaafar

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cultivation is new in Saudi Arabia and rigorous fertilization programs are yet to be implemented to help growers deal with the widespread nutrient deficiencies in their orchards. Use of fertilizers especially micro-nutrients is still erratic and very variable from one grower to another. The present study was initiated after Zn deficiency symptoms were discovered in several mango orchards of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in two orchards using two Zn products (Zn sulfate and chelated Zn). Mature mango trees of the cultivar ‘Sensation’ on ‘Sudani’ rootstock were sprayed either immediately before bloom or both before and after bloom. Results: The application of zinc did increase leaf zinc concentrations and improved net photosynthetic assimilation rates. The deficiency symptoms decreased but did not disappear completely possibly because of other nutrients being deficient too, especially Cu which concentration was below the optimum range. To deal with the wide-spread nutrient deficiency symptoms due to soil alkalinity and lack of consistent fertilization, growers need to spray regularly with micro nutrients and to adjust soil pH which was too high. Conclusion: This study reports for the first time about the widespread micro nutrient deficiencies in Mango orchards in Jazan. It should be emphasized that making fertilization decisions based on visual symptoms alone can be risky when multiple essential elements are deficient. In the present case, there were clear indications of Zn deficiency but the analyses showed that Cu is more of a problem.

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How to cite this article
Khemira Habib, Taieb Tounekti, Mosbah Mahdhi, Desam Nagarjuna Reddy, Essa Makhasha and Abderrahman Jaafar, 2018. Remedying Zn Deficiency in Mango Orchards with Foliar Spays. Asian Journal of Crop Science, 10: 86-92.

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