Response of Chlorotic Acid Lime to Iron and Sulphur Fertilization

Treatment of Fe₂SO₄ @ 30 kg Fe ha⁻¹, sulphuric acid @ 200 or 400 kg S ha⁻¹ and elemental sulphur @ 500 kg S ha⁻¹ significantly increased the fruit yield by 4.0 to 4.4 kg plant⁻¹ through significantly increasing total chlorophyll, active iron, total iron and sulphur contents in the leaves over an absolute control. The leaf sap pH was also significantly decreased over control. The total soluble solids and ascorbic acid content in the fruit juice increased significantly due to these treatments. Fruit yield was closely associated with the decrease in chlorosis (r= 0.953**) and total chlorophyll content (r= 0.884**). The increase in sulphur availability restored the nutrient balance in leaves through higher concentration of Fe²⁺ ions for chlorophyll synthesis.