Integrated Nutrient Management: Concept and Application in Citrus

摘要

Multiple nutrient deficiencies are common in citrus orchards the world over. Integrated nutrient management (INM), a concept that involves tne combined use of chemical fertilizers, microbial inoculation and organic manures, has shown much better promise than any of the other steategies of fertilization in citrus. INM-based fertilization has a definite edge over conventional fertilization since the former advca es rea men once or twice to inflict changes in the physico-chemical and microbial environment, while the latter is effective only wtien practiced 3-4 times synchronizing with phenological growth stages and often 15-20 times using fertigation or even much better tectinicalities involved with sensor-based variable rate application using site-specific fertilization. Dual function microbes e.g. mchoaerma harzianumlvinde, Pseudomonas fluoresces, Bacillus polymyxa, arbuscular mycorrhizae, etc. both having growth-promoting acuity as well as strong antagonistic effect against soil-borne pathogens loaded to manure as substrate coupled with 75% of RDF (recommended doses of fertilizers) are equally effective to combat multiple nutrient deficiencies on both alkaline calcareous and acidic non-calcareous soils, irrespective of cultivar type and climate.