Response of orange trees to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilization in a Yellow Latosol of the coastal plateau

Abstract

The effects of N, P, and K applications on yield and fruit quality of orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) was studied in a factorial experiment carried out in a Yellow Latosol, of the Coastal Plateau of the Northeast of Brazil. Zero, 150 e 300 kg ha^-1 N as urea; 0, 26 and 52 kg ha^-1 of P as concentrated superfosfate and 0, 96 and 192 kg ha^-1 of K as KCl were used. A linear yield response to N was observed in one, out of four years of observation. Nitrogen decreased fruit size and had no influence on fruit quality measured by percentage of juice, total soluble solids, acidity and ratio total soluble solids/acidity. Yield was highly responsive to P in each year observed. The nutrient increased percentage of juice and the total soluble solids/acidity ratio. Potassium increased yield and fruit size, but decreased the total soluble solids/acidity ratio.