ABSTRACT Deficiencies of boron and zinc occur in coffee plantations despite the many fertilizer sources offered by the industry for the agriculture. Sparingly soluble fertilizers (SSF) have been used in several countries for many years. However, their effectiveness when applied to leaves is highly contested, and information about their use efficiency is still lacking. Experiments were set up to characterize the SSF of B and Zn according to particle size of fertilizers, and the spreading and retention of the particles in the leaf, comparing SSF (calcium borate, Zn oxide, and Zn borate) with soluble sources (boric acid and Zn sulfate) in four doses (mg.L-1): Experiment I (B 0, 130, 260, and 520), Experiment II (Zn 0, 200, 600, and 1,800), and experiment III (B 0, 43, 129, and 387, and Zn 0, 200, 600, and 1,800), to supply B and Zn for coffee plants. Microparticles of the SSF were found adhered to coffee leaves, and the Zn oxide was the one with the smallest particle size. SSFs were effective at increasing the Zn and B leaf concentrations in coffee. Dry matter of coffee increased 15% with applications of 270 mg.L-1 of B as calcium borate and 384 mg.L-1 of B as boric acid. Foliar application of Zn oxide at the dose of 1,800 mg.L-1 of Zn increased the leaf areas of the plants. High doses of Zn sulfate caused toxicity to coffee plants due to high saline concentrations. The microparticles found retained on the surface of the coffee leaves increased leaf concentration of B and Zn, which explained variations in the dry matter measurements and show the potential of the SSF for the development of fertilizers to improve the availability of micronutrients to coffee.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the fertiliser sources and application methods of copper (Cu) in citrus trees during the first years of fruit production. Two experiments were set up in an orchard with 3-year-old sweet orange trees, which were applied with three sources of Cu (nitrate, sulfate or EDTA) either via fertigation (Experiment 1) or via foliar sprays (Experiment 2). Regardless of the fertiliser source, Cu application via fertigation was not efficacious to increase the micronutrient concentration in leaves and, consequently, did not affect fruit yield. Conversely, foliar application of Cu, either as nitrate or sulfate, increased this nutrient level in leaves but when applied as copper nitrate, visual phytotoxicity symptoms were verified in leaves due to salt accumulation in the plant canopy, which reduced the fruit yield. Considering the plant growth and intensified phytosanitary management of the orchard with the application of copperbased products after the third year of the experiment, the effects of Cu treatments on fruit yield are expected to be negligible as the trees age.

O porta-enxerto (PE) influencia a nutrição mineral da parte aérea e, consequentemente, a adaptação das árvores cítricas às condições adversas de solo. Considerando que a produtividade dos citros é frequentemente limitada pela baixa disponibilidade de P, foram avaliadas as respostas de crescimento e nutrição fosfatada de plântulas dos PEs limão 'Cravo', citrumelo 'Swingle' e tangerinas 'Cleópatra' e 'Sunki' ao suprimento de 0,0125; 0,05; 0,2; e 0,8 mmol L-1 de P na solução nutritiva. Após 100 dias de tratamentos, os PEs foram coletados e separados em folhas, ramos e sistema radicular para quantificação de massa seca (MS) e determinação do acúmulo de P nessas partes. Cinco dias antes do término do experimento, folhas e raízes foram amostradas para avaliação da atividade da fosfatase ácida. O suprimento de P na solução nutritiva aumentou a área foliar e a produção de MS da parte aérea e das raízes; os teores foliares e o acúmulo de P pelos PEs foram proporcionais à concentração de P na solução nutritiva. Independentemente do tratamento de P, o 'Cravo' apresentou crescimento mais vigoroso, com maior acúmulo de MS e também de P, enquanto as tangerinas foram PEs menos vigorosos. A eficiência de absorção de P (EAP) foi incrementada com o suprimento de P na solução nutritiva, e o 'Swingle' foi o PE com menor EAP. O 'Cravo' foi mais eficiente na conversão do P em biomassa nas raízes e, principalmente, na parte aérea. Houve variação na atividade da fosfatase ácida da raiz, indicando que os PEs apresentam distinta capacidade para aproveitamento do P orgânico do solo. O sistema radicular do 'Cravo' com EAP e atividade da fosfatase ácida nas raízes igual ou mais elevada do que a dos demais PEs, crescimento mais vigoroso e conversão mais eficiente do P em biomassa sugere sua maior adaptação a solos com baixos teores disponíveis de P.

Citrus rootstocks have a strong influence on shoot mineral nutrition and consequently on the adaptation of citrus trees to adverse soil conditions. Since citrus yield is often limited by low P availability, a greenhouse study was carried out to evaluate the effects of P application in the nutrient solution (0.0125; 0.05; 0.2 and 0.8 mmol L-1) on growth and P nutrition of the citrus rootstocks varieties ('Rangpur' lime, 'Swingle' citrumelo, 'Cleopatra' and 'Sunki' mandarin). After 100 days of P treatments, the rootstocks were harvested and further separated into leaves, stem and root system to determine dry weight and P accumulation. Five days before harvesting the experiment, leaves and roots were sampled to determine acid phosphatase activity. The P supply in the nutrient solution improved leaf area, shoot and root dry weigth. P concentration in the leaves and accumulated P were proportional to the P concentration in the nutrient solution. Regardless of P treatment, 'Rangpur' lime had a more vigorous growth and P accumulation, whereas the mandarin varieties 'Cleopatra' and 'Sunki' had lower shoot and root growth. P uptake efficiency was enhanced by P supply in the nutrient solution, and 'Swingle' had the lowest P uptake efficiency. 'Rangpur' lime was the most efficient rootstock in P utilization for biomass production, especially in the shoot. There was variation in acid phosphatase activity in the roots, suggesting that citrus rootstocks differ in the capacity of using soil organic P. Since 'Rangpur' lime tended to have roots with highest P uptake efficiency, most vigorous growth and highest dry weight per unit of P taken up, as well as acid phosphatase activity in the roots, this might be most the suitable rootstock for low-P soils.

A citricultura brasileira é uma atividade de destaque na pauta econômica do País. O seu crescimento e manutenção requerem a produção de 15-20 milhões de mudas anualmente. Em vista das características dos viveiros e das variedades porta-enxertos e copas, há a necessidade de se estabelecer um manejo nutricional adequado dessas plantas. O estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar o suprimento de N e Cu e o desenvolvimento e estado nutricional de mudas de laranjeira 'Pêra', sobre porta-enxertos de limoeiro 'Cravo' e tangerineira 'Sunki'. Foram aplicados dois níveis de N = 120 e 240 mg L-1, e quatro de Cu = 0, 5, 10 e 20 mg L-1 (Cu-EDTA) via fertirrigação, entre o transplantio de porta-enxertos e a finalização da muda. O porta-enxerto de 'Cravo' possui maior vigor comparado à 'Sunki' com base na produção de massa seca e tamanho das plantas. O maior desenvolvimento das mudas foi obtido com a solução de fertirrigação com 240 mg L-1 de N e 5 a 10 mg L-1 de Cu. Houve efeito depressivo na concentração de 20 mg L-1 de Cu, associado a teores de Cu das folhas de 20 mg kg-1 e das raízes de 50 mg kg-1. Esse prejuízo foi menor com o maior fornecimento de N. Da mesma forma, o pegamento de borbulhas da laranjeira 'Pêra' foi ótimo nas doses intermediárias de Cu. A demanda de Cu foi maior para mudas sobre 'Sunki' na maior dose de N e o excesso desse micronutriente reduziu a absorção de Mn. Os teores de Cu foram maiores nas raízes da porção superior do recipiente de produção das muda, o que coincidiu com a maior adsorção do elemento no substrato, com máximo acima de 300 mg kg-1 de Cu.

The citrus industry is an important economical activity in Brazil. The increase and maintenance of citrus groves require the production of 15-20 million nursery plants yearly. Due to the type of nurseries and horticultural characteristics of rootstocks and scions the development of guidelines for best nutrient management of these plants is requiered. This research evaluated the supply of N and Cu, and the growth and nutritional status of 'Pêra' sweet orange nursery trees grafted on 'Rangpur lime' and 'Sunki' mandarin rootstocks. Two levels of N (120 and 240 mg L-1) and four of Cu ( 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg L-1; Cu-EDTA) were applied via fertigation from seedlings transplantation to finalization of nursery plants. The Rangpur lime demonstrated greater vigour compared to the 'Sunki', based on production of dry mass and plant size. Better plant growth was attained at 240 mg L-1 of N and 5 to 10 mg L-1 of Cu, whereas a negative growth was observed with 20 mg L-1 of Cu, which was associated with Cu concentrations in the leaf tissue of 20 mg kg-1 and root of 50 mg kg-1. This negative effect was minimized with greater N supply. Similarly, bud take was optimum with intermediate Cu supply both rootstocks on both rootstocks. Copper demand of 'Pêra' nursery plants was greater for those on 'Sunki' mandarin rootstock and at 200 mg L-1 of N fertigation. Excess of Cu also reduced Mn uptake by plants. Greater Cu concentration was observed in root tissues from the upper part of nursery bags, compared to the lower part which, was in line with the Cu adsorption in the substrate, as indicated by a maximum concentration of 310 mg kg-1 of Cu.

A determinação das concentrações foliares representa o estado nutricional das plantas, identifica deficiências e/ou excessos e avalia a necessidade de ajustar as adubações. Este trabalho objetivou determinar a melhor combinação de doses NPKCa e S que proporcione a concentração foliar responsável pela maior quantidade de matéria seca total das plantas de porta-enxerto limoeiro `Cravo', em um experimento fatorial fracionário (¹/25) 5(4), com 25 tratamentos, repartidos em cinco blocos de cinco tratamentos. As mudas do limoeiro `Cravo' (Citrus limonia Osb.) foram transplantadas para recipientes (3,8 dm³) com substrato comercial, em viveiro telado, quando atingiram 10 cm. Os tratamentos consistiram de combinações das seguintes doses (g por planta): N = 0,31; 0,62; 1,25; 2,5 e 5; K = 0,4; 0,62; 1,25; 2,5 e 5; P = 0,35; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0; e Ca = 3,5; 5,0; 6,0; 7,0 e 8,0. O P e o Ca foram misturados ao substrato de uma vez antes do transplantio e o N e o K após o transplantio, divididos em 20 aplicações semanais. As fontes utilizadas para os tratamentos foram superfosfato triplo, gesso, NH4NO3 e KCl. As concentrações foliares aos cinco meses de idade situaram-se na faixa alta, para os nutrientes N, P, K e S, e baixa para Ca e Mg. As doses que proporcionaram a maior produção de matéria seca e melhores concentrações foliares foram N = 3,5; P = 2,7; K = 2,0; e Ca = 6,5 g por planta.

Analysis of leaf nutrient contents can demonstrate plant nutritional status, identify symptoms of deficiency and toxicity, and evaluate the need to adjust fertilization programs. This research determined N:P:K:Ca:S rates for optimal nutrition of Rangpur lime - RL (Citrus limonia Osb.) rootstock, in an experiment arranged in a fractional factorial design of the (¹/25) 5(4) type, with 25 treatments distributed within five blocks. Seedlings of RL were transplanted into 3.8-dm³ containers filled with commercial growing media, when plant height = 10 cm, in a nursery. Treatments consisted of the following nutrient rates (g per plant): N = 0.31, 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5; K = 0.4, 0.62, 1.25, 2.5 and 5; P = 0.35, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0; and Ca = 3.5, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0. Phosphorus and Ca were applied to the compost before transplant of seedlings, while N and K were applied later and total amounts were split into 20 weekly applications via fertigation. Nutrient sources were triple super phosphate, gypsum, NH4NO3 and KCl. Leaf nutrient concentrations of five-mo-old plants were high or in excess for N, P, K and S. Calcium and Mg concentrations were low. Greater dry mass of plants were observed at nutrient rates of N = 3.5, P = 2.7, K = 2.0, and Ca = 6.5 g per plant.

A compreensão da distribuição de nutrientes na árvore é importante para o estabelecimento de programas de manejo nutricional eficientes para a produção de citros. Árvores de laranjeira Hamlin [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] em citrumelo Swingle [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. x Citrus paradisi Macfad.], com 6 anos de idade, cultivadas num Entisol da Flórida foram colhidas para investigar a distribuição e o conteúdo de macro e micronutrientes em componentes da biomassa. A distribuição de nutrientes, em peso seco, da biomassa total da árvore foi: frutos = 30,3%, folhas = 9,7%, ramos = 26,1%, tronco = 6,3% e raízes = 27,8%. A concentração de nutrientes em folhas recém maduras ficou entre os níveis adequado e ótimo pela interpretação da análise foliar da Flórida. Maiores concentrações de Ca foram observadas nas folhas mais velhas e nos tecidos lenhosos. Concentrações de micronutrientes foram significativamente maiores nas radicelas em comparação àquelas lenhosas. O maior conteúdo de nutriente na árvore foi de Ca (273,8 g/árvore), seguido de N e de K (243,7 e 181,5 g/árvore, respectivamente). Outros macronutrientes somaram cerca de 11% do conteúdo total de nutrientes. O conteúdo de vários nutrientes na fruta fresca, em kg ton-1, foi: N = 1,20; K = 1,54; P = 0,18; Ca = 0,57; Mg = 0,12; S = 0,09; B = 1,63 x 10-3; Cu = 0,39 x 10-3; Fe = 2,1 x 10-3; Mn = 0,38 x 10-3 e Zn = 0,40 x 10-3. O conteúdo total de N, K e P no pomar correspondeu a 66,5, 52,0, and 8,3 kg ha-1, respectivamente, os quais foram equivalentes às quantidades de nutriente aplicadas anualmente pela adubação.

The knowledge of the nutrient distribution in trees is important to establish sound nutrient management programs for citrus production. Six-year-old Hamlin orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.] on Swingle citrumelo [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. x Citrus paradisi Macfad.] rootstock, grown on a sandy Entisol in Florida were harvested to investigate the macro and micronutrient distributions of biomass components. The biomass of aboveground components of the tree represented the largest proportion of the total. The distribution of the total tree dry weight was: fruit = 30.3%, leaf = 9.7%, twig = 26.1%, trunk = 6.3%, and root = 27.8%. Nutrient concentrations of recent mature leaves were in the adequate to optimal range as suggested by interpretation of leaf analysis in Florida. Concentrations of Ca in older leaves and woody tissues were much greater than those in the other parts of the tree. Concentrations of micronutrients were markedly greater in fibrous root as compared to woody roots. Calcium made up the greatest amount of nutrient in the citrus tree (273.8 g per tree), followed by N and K (234.7 and 181.5 g per tree, respectively). Other macronutrients comprised about 11% of the total nutrient content of trees. The contents of various nutrients in fruits were: N = 1.20, K = 1.54, P = 0.18, Ca = 0.57, Mg = 0.12, S = 0.09, B = 1.63 x 10-3, Cu = 0.39 x 10-3, Fe = 2.1 x 10-3, Mn = 0.38 10-3, and Zn = 0.40 10-3 (kg ton-1). Total contents of N, K, and P in the orchard corresponded to 66.5, 52.0, and 8.3 kg ha-1, respectively, which were equivalent to the amounts applied annually by fertilization.