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Academic Research Journal of
Agricultural Science and Research |
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Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research Vol. 5(3), pp. 167-175. May, 2017. ISSN: 2360-7874 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2017.010 Full Length Research Orange (cv Valencia) Response to Foliar Application of Micronutrients at Merti-Abadiska in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia
Israel Bekele1 and Dejene Abera1 1Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (MARC) Natural Resource Management Research Process. Email: 2012israelb@gmail.com, Corresponding author: dejeneab@gmail.com
Accepted 2 April 2017
Effect of
micronutrients including Chelated Iron 13.2% (Fe) Zinc 14% (Zn), Copper
14% (Cu), Manganese 13% (Mn), and Blended Zinc 4.0% (Zn) & Boron 2% (B)
as foliar spray on fruit yield and quality of orange, cv. Valencia at
Upper Awash Agro Industry Enterprise (Merti-Abadiska farm), Ethiopia
were studied during 2011 to 2013. The experiment was laid out in
randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The product
solution was prepared as per factory recommendations (1.12 kg of
micronutrients dissolved in 640 L ha-1) and was applied as foliar spray
at two different growth stages (before flower initiation and after nine
months of the first spray). The result showed that foliar application of
Fe, Zn and Cu significantly affected micronutrient concentration of the
leaves (p< 0.05). As a result, the fruit yield and fruit qualities were
improved: fruit yield 25.0 to50. 6%, TSS from 3.7 to 14.8%, and sugar
content by 2.5 to 5.0% when compared to the control. Therefore, it is
concluded that the foliar application of micronutrients at the rate of
1.12 in 640 L of water per hectare at least twice per annum improved the
quality parameters and increase the fruit production of citrus orchard
in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. How to cite this article: Bekele I, Abera D (2017). Orange (cv Valencia) Response to Foliar Application of Micronutrients at Merti-Abadiska in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 5(3): 167-175
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