Nutritional survey of citrus orchards in the State of Bahia

Abstract

Results of a survey for the nutritional status of citrus orchards in the state of Bahia, Brazil, were analyzed, covering 60 orchards in eleven municipalities, distributed among the three main producing areas. The selection of the sampled orchards was based on stratification according to technological levels, while, in parallel, information was recorded on soil type, scion, cultivar, stock, cultural practices, plant age and incidence of diseases and pests. After four years, and K, whose levels were low in 65.0 and 48.3%, of the orchards, respectively. Unsatisfactory levels of P and Zn were also detected in 35.0% of the orchards that composed the sample. These results are important for citriculture, since they can be used for the correction of the nutritional deficiencies, leading, in a short term, to better yields in the areas studied.