Effect of Different Concentrations of Iron Sprays on the Incidence of Chlorosis in Sweet Orange (Citrus Sinensis)

To study the effect of different concentrations of iron (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 per cent) sprayed during different seasons on the incidence of chlorosis, content of chlorophyll, leaf area, and quality of fruit, an experiment was conducted on sweet oranges in the Garden Colony, Jugiana (Ludhiana) during the period of 1960–62. Spraying of plants with iron in autumn (i.e., November, 1960) and (September, 1961) did not affect the incidence of chlorosis significantly. However, sprays applied in spring (i.e., March, 1961 and 1962) were found to be very effective. Intensity of chlorosis was found significantly reduced in sprayed plants. The intensity of chlorosis even after the fourth spray was 29.40 per cent on the plants sprayed with 0.6 per cent iron. Iron sprays at 0.6 per cent concentration significantly increased leaf area. Different concentrations of iron sprayings significantly increased the chlorophyll content of the leaves and reducing sugars in the fruits. Iron applied only at 0.6 and 0.4 per cent concentrations significantly increased absorbic acid content of the juice significantly.