Effect of fertilizer ratios between N, P, and K on enhancing vegetative growth of Cleopatra mandarin seedlings

Abstract

This field experimental work was conducted during successive seasons (2021 and 2022) to explore the effect of different fertilizer ratios between nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the vegetative growth of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock seedlings ( Citrus reshni L.). The seedlings were subjected to different fertilizer ratios between N, P and K (2:1:1 and 1:1:2) as well as the control (1:1:1) for investigating their effect on some growth parameters of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock seedlings. All fertilizer ratios were applied at the beginning of April and during the experimental seasons using 0.5 g of N, P, and K mixed with ratios different (1:1:1, 2:1:1 and 1:1:2) for every litter of irrigation water. The treatments were distributed as randomized complete block designs with 3 replicates for each treatment. The results obtained during both experimental seasons revealed obviously that all treatments have significantly increased growth parameters as compared to control. Generally, N, P and K with a ratio 2:1:1 particularly were statistically the most effective in this study.