Effect of Different Soil Fertility on Growth and Development of Two Citrus Cultivars Under Two Locations

Abstract

The response of citrus cultivar on soil fertility under different locations has been known prior to its fertilizer application. The aim of this research was to study the effects of different soil fertility on the growth and development of citrus cultivars under two locations. This research was conducted at Langgam Subdistrict, Pelalawan Regency, Province of Riau, Indonesia from February to June 2020. The three-year-old citrus trees of Siam (Tangerine) cv. Pontianak/SP (C. nobilis) and Keprok (Mandarin) cv. Tejakula/KTJ (C. reticulata Blanco) were used in this study. A statistical comparison (Student’s t-test) was used to compare the growth of two citrus cultivars planted into two locations. The nutrient contents in soil and leaves were determined; the growth parameters and leaf pigments were observed and the correlations were analysed. The results showed that status of soil nutrition in two locations ranged low to medium, with pH of 5.1-6.0. At the first location, SP absorbed elements of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn 24.1% higher than KTJ. On the other hand, KTJ could absorb the P, K, Na, S and B elements by 24.4% higher than SP. However, at the second location SP is more adaptive on absorbing the elements of N, Na, Mg, S, Zn and B by 26.9% higher than KTJ, while this cultivar could absorb only 10.3% higher of K and Mn. Status value of chlorophyl a and b of citrus cultivar grown in location I was higher. A positive linear relationship has been found between all growth variables with C organic, EC, CEC, Fe, P2O5, K, Ca, pH, and SO4 of soil. The same relation has been found with increasing trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) for growth of plant height and canopy of both cultivars. In general, the growth and development of Siam Pontianak was better than Mandarin Tejakula. The status of soil nutrition and the initial growth performance of each cultivar can be used as a guideline for the application of balanced fertilizers to produce plants that grow optimally.