Effect of Fertilizing With K-Amino Acid and Nutrient Solution on Some Growth Parameters of Citrus Reticulata Saplings

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in a certified citrus nursery belonging to the General Directorate of Horticulture and Forests in Karbala Governorate/Al-Hindiyah District for the growing season 2019, to study the effect of fertilizing with K-amino acid and nutrient solution on plant vegetative growth and nutritional contents of Citrus reticulata saplings grafted onto the original Citrus aurantium at age of six months old, after grafting. Fertilization with K-amino acid or spraying with nutrient solution was at three levels (0, 1, 2 ml.L^-1). Saplings were sprays six times on the 15th of March, April, Mays, then in August, September, and October.  The results showed that fertilizing with K+amino acid at 2ml.L^-1 led to the highest rate shoot and root fresh and dry weight, leaf content of chlorophyll and the total carbohydrates. The interaction treatment of 1 ml.L^-1 of both K+ amino acid and the nutrient solution had the highest values in shoot FW. While, nutrient solution and the K+amino acid at 2ml.L^-1 recorded the highest rates of shoot DW, root FW and DW, and leaf content of total carbohydrates. The interaction of 2 ml.L^-1 K+amino acid and 1ml.L^-1 nutrient solution was the highest value in case of leaf content of total chlorophyll.