What kind of fertilizer should be applied to citrus to increase sweetness
The editor introduces the related content of what kind of fertilizer should be applied to citrus to increase sweetness in green plants. The editor will provide you with detailed answers below.
What kind of fertilizer should be applied to citrus to increase sweetness
Minerals can further reduce acidity and increase sweetness, such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, etc., which will reduce the assimilation products of fruit trees by affecting their photosynthesis. The deficiency of iron and calcium will affect the degradation of organic acids; the lack of phosphorus will cause the fruit to shrink, become hollow, have rough and wrinkled skin, become pale in color, reduce juice content, and have a strong sour taste. In the later stage of citrus growth, it is necessary to ensure the supply of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to give the citrus a good taste.
The sweetness of citrus is the most important factor in its quality, but many people know that citrus needs to be sweetened, but they do not know that reducing acidity is more important, because only when the acidity is reduced, the sweetness of citrus can be highlighted.
Composition of sweetness in citrus
The sugars in citrus are mainly sucrose, glucose, and fructose, among which fructose has the highest sweetness and glucose has a better taste. Only by evenly increasing the content of these sugars can the citrus fruit have an excellent taste.
Generally, in the early stage of citrus fruit growth, sugar is mainly deposited in the flesh cells, and it gradually increases after the middle stage, reaching its peak at maturity. Therefore, the later stage of fruit expansion is a key point for sugar increase.
Where does the sour taste in citrus come from
In addition to sugars, citrus also contains citric acid and malic acid.
Citric acid produces a quick sour sensation and lasts for a short time; malic acid has a refreshing sour taste, slightly astringent and bitter, and has a slower taste development, with a long-lasting sour sensation.
In the process of citrus fruit growth, organic acids will continue to accumulate and only gradually decrease when the level of organic acids reaches its peak.
We all know that good citrus must be sour and sweet, so it is important to grasp the sugar-acid ratio of citrus.
When the sour taste content of citrus is 1%, the sugar content should exceed 10% for a good taste, which means the sugar-acid ratio should be greater than 8.2. When the sugar-acid ratio is greater than 12, the taste of citrus will be sweeter.
What factors affect the sweetness of citrus
① Environmental factors
Citrus growth requires suitable temperature and light. When the temperature rises, the sugar content and soluble solids increase, and the acidity decreases accordingly.
Insufficient light will lead to photosynthesis being hindered, affecting sugar accumulation, reducing sugar content, increasing acid content, and lowering quality.
② Water factors
Water is a necessary factor for citrus growth. On the premise of meeting basic water supply, the amount of watering for citrus can be reduced for a certain period, which can increase the soluble solids and sugar content in the fruit juice.
③ Fertilizer factors
Minerals can further reduce acidity and increase sweetness, such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium, etc., which will reduce the assimilation products of fruit trees by affecting their photosynthesis.
The deficiency of iron and calcium will affect the degradation of organic acids; the lack of phosphorus will cause the fruit to shrink, become hollow, have rough and wrinkled skin, become pale in color, reduce juice content, and have a strong sour taste.
In the later stage of citrus growth, it is necessary to ensure the supply of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to give the citrus a good taste.
What kind of fertilizer should be used to sweeten citrus
① Applying basic fertilizer in winterIf the basic fertilizer, mainly composed of organic fertilizers, is applied in the autumn after harvesting, the early basic fertilizer is easy to ferment and decompose, making it easy for the tree to absorb, which is beneficial for the continuous decomposition and release of organic fertilizers in winter and spring.
This helps the citrus trees to timely produce new roots, which is conducive to the rapid recovery and vitality of the next year. By providing the nutrients needed for the differentiation of citrus tree flower buds and early flowering and fruiting, it promotes flower bud differentiation, prevents blossom and fruit drop, and significantly improves the yield and quality of citrus fruits.
② Applying calcium fertilizerResearch shows that the acidity level of citrus is related to the calcium content in the soil. Citrus with high calcium content has relatively low acidity, and vice versa. There is a general calcium deficiency in the soil.
Therefore, applying lime and other calcium fertilizers to citrus orchard soil can effectively supplement the calcium content in the soil and also meet the calcium nutrient requirements during the growth period of citrus.
Generally, spreading 50-60 kilograms of quicklime per mu on the citrus orchard soil can reduce the acidity of the orchard soil and increase the accumulation of sugars, thereby increasing sweetness.
③ Spraying foliar fertilizerUnder normal circumstances, if the mineral nutrition is sufficient, many fruit farmers have good results by spraying phosphorus and potassium sources, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate, during the ripening period of citrus, with continuous spraying for 2-3 times.
Generally, it is not recommended to use foliar fertilizers containing plant growth regulators like ethephon to promote early maturity. If conditions permit, you can use this kind of foliar fertilizer, which contains registered elements like phosphorus, potassium, boron, and molybdenum and is specifically used to promote color change and sweetness in citrus.
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