Abstract
There is wide spread deficiency of micronutrients in the citrus growing areas of Pakistan. To investigate the influence of
foliar application of boron (B) and zinc (Zn), on the leaf nutrient status, tree growth, productivity and fruit quality of Citrus
reticulata Blanco cv. Feutrell’s Early, trees were sprayed with boric acid and zinc sulphate either alone or in combination [T1
= control (water spray), T2 = 0.3% boric acid at fruit set stage, T3 = 0.5% zinc sulphate at fruit set stage, T4 = 0.3% boric
acid + 0.5% zinc sulphate at fruit set stage, T5 = 0.5% zinc sulphate + 0.3 % boric acid at premature stage)]. Foliar
application of B and Zn significantly increased the K, Mn, Fe, B and Zn status of Feutrell’s Early leaves. The application of
0.3% boric acid + 0.5% zinc sulphate at the fruit set stage effectively brought the leaf Zn and B level of Feutrell’s Early
mandarin leaves from deficient to optimum range. The tree height, leaf size, fruit weight, juice weight percentage, SSC and
TA were also significantly increased with application of 0.3% boric acid + 0.5% zinc sulphate at the fruit set stage. The
application of 0.3% boric acid + 0.5% zinc sulphate at pre-mature stage significantly enhanced the concentration of ascorbic
in the Feutrell’s Early fruit juice. The total sugars and non-reducing level was also increased with foliar application of B and
Zn. In conclusion, the combine application of boric acid (0.3%) and zinc sulphate (0.5%) at fruit set stage effectively
improved the B and Zn level in the leaves, vegetative growth, productivity and fruit quality of Feutrell’s Early madarin.
