Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method

Establishing critical levels (CLs) and sufficiency ranges (SRs) for nutrients improves fertilizer recommendations and supports citrus yield and fruit quality. The objective of this study was to establish CLs, soil fertility classes, and leaf nutrient SRs for citrus. This study used data on the yield...

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Main Authors: Antonio João de Lima Neto, Amanda Veridiana Krug, Jean Michel Moura-Bueno, Danilo Eduardo Rozane, William Natale, Jacson Hindersmann, Ana Luiza Lima Marques, Lincon Oliveira Stefanello, Daniéle Gonçalves Papalia, Gustavo Brunetto
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1764
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author Antonio João de Lima Neto
Amanda Veridiana Krug
Jean Michel Moura-Bueno
Danilo Eduardo Rozane
William Natale
Jacson Hindersmann
Ana Luiza Lima Marques
Lincon Oliveira Stefanello
Daniéle Gonçalves Papalia
Gustavo Brunetto
author_facet Antonio João de Lima Neto
Amanda Veridiana Krug
Jean Michel Moura-Bueno
Danilo Eduardo Rozane
William Natale
Jacson Hindersmann
Ana Luiza Lima Marques
Lincon Oliveira Stefanello
Daniéle Gonçalves Papalia
Gustavo Brunetto
author_sort Antonio João de Lima Neto
collection DOAJ
description Establishing critical levels (CLs) and sufficiency ranges (SRs) for nutrients improves fertilizer recommendations and supports citrus yield and fruit quality. The objective of this study was to establish CLs, soil fertility classes, and leaf nutrient SRs for citrus. This study used data on the yield and nutrients of the soil and leaves, collected from 2016 to 2021, of commercial orange (<i>Citrus sinensis</i>) and tangerine (<i>Citrus deliciosa</i>) orchards in the Southwest and Metropolitan regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. The yield data were related to the soil attributes/leaf nutrient contents. From the models obtained from this relationship, soil fertility classes and leaf sufficiency ranges were established using the boundary line (BL) method. The appropriate classes are 5.1–5.6 for pH, 1.0–1.4% for OM, 65.8–129.0 mg dm<sup>−3</sup> for P, 161.4–326.0 mg dm<sup>−3</sup> for K, 0.9–1.4 cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for Ca, 0.22–0.34, cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for Mg, 1.9–2.9 cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for SB, 4.5–5.8 cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for CEC, and 40.6–53.2% for V. The appropriate ranges of leaf contents were as follows: 19.1–22.7 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of N, 0.8–1.3 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of P, 7.8–11.3 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of K, 20.9–28.4 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of Ca, 2.0–3.3 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of Mg, 2.0–3.0 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of S, 88.8–127.5 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of B, 28.3–73.6 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Cu, 74.3–122.5 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Fe, 55.7–89.3 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Mn, and 10.9–15.6 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Zn. The BL method made it possible to establish nutrient CLs using data from commercial orchards, which is not possible when using conventional approaches. The established norms will allow for a more precise definition of the real need for fertilizer application in citrus orchards.
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spelling doaj-art-d3b06074408f45fca4474a47d633e0092025-08-20T03:16:36ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-06-011412176410.3390/plants14121764Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line MethodAntonio João de Lima Neto0Amanda Veridiana Krug1Jean Michel Moura-Bueno2Danilo Eduardo Rozane3William Natale4Jacson Hindersmann5Ana Luiza Lima Marques6Lincon Oliveira Stefanello7Daniéle Gonçalves Papalia8Gustavo Brunetto9Department of Plant Science, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza 60356-000, CE, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, BrazilDepartment of Agronomy and Natural Resources, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Registro 11900-000, SP, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA—Agroindustry Tropical), Fortaleza 60511-110, CE, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, BrazilDepartment of Agronomy, Federal Technological University of Parana, Santa Helena 85892-000, PR, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, BrazilDepartment of Soil Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria 97105-900, RS, BrazilEstablishing critical levels (CLs) and sufficiency ranges (SRs) for nutrients improves fertilizer recommendations and supports citrus yield and fruit quality. The objective of this study was to establish CLs, soil fertility classes, and leaf nutrient SRs for citrus. This study used data on the yield and nutrients of the soil and leaves, collected from 2016 to 2021, of commercial orange (<i>Citrus sinensis</i>) and tangerine (<i>Citrus deliciosa</i>) orchards in the Southwest and Metropolitan regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. The yield data were related to the soil attributes/leaf nutrient contents. From the models obtained from this relationship, soil fertility classes and leaf sufficiency ranges were established using the boundary line (BL) method. The appropriate classes are 5.1–5.6 for pH, 1.0–1.4% for OM, 65.8–129.0 mg dm<sup>−3</sup> for P, 161.4–326.0 mg dm<sup>−3</sup> for K, 0.9–1.4 cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for Ca, 0.22–0.34, cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for Mg, 1.9–2.9 cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for SB, 4.5–5.8 cmol<sub>c</sub> dm<sup>−3</sup> for CEC, and 40.6–53.2% for V. The appropriate ranges of leaf contents were as follows: 19.1–22.7 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of N, 0.8–1.3 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of P, 7.8–11.3 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of K, 20.9–28.4 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of Ca, 2.0–3.3 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of Mg, 2.0–3.0 g kg<sup>−1</sup> of S, 88.8–127.5 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of B, 28.3–73.6 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Cu, 74.3–122.5 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Fe, 55.7–89.3 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Mn, and 10.9–15.6 mg kg<sup>−1</sup> of Zn. The BL method made it possible to establish nutrient CLs using data from commercial orchards, which is not possible when using conventional approaches. The established norms will allow for a more precise definition of the real need for fertilizer application in citrus orchards.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1764fertilization in orchardssoil fertility in orchardsleaf nutrient sufficiency rangesrational use of fertilizers
spellingShingle Antonio João de Lima Neto
Amanda Veridiana Krug
Jean Michel Moura-Bueno
Danilo Eduardo Rozane
William Natale
Jacson Hindersmann
Ana Luiza Lima Marques
Lincon Oliveira Stefanello
Daniéle Gonçalves Papalia
Gustavo Brunetto
Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method
Plants
fertilization in orchards
soil fertility in orchards
leaf nutrient sufficiency ranges
rational use of fertilizers
title Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method
title_full Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method
title_fullStr Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method
title_full_unstemmed Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method
title_short Proposal of Critical Nutrient Levels in Soil and Citrus Leaves Using the Boundary Line Method
title_sort proposal of critical nutrient levels in soil and citrus leaves using the boundary line method
topic fertilization in orchards
soil fertility in orchards
leaf nutrient sufficiency ranges
rational use of fertilizers
url https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1764
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