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Increasing Citrus Fruit Size
Crop load determines fruit yield and size and a too high fruit number can result in small fruit. The use of careful thinning and growth regulators can reduce the number of fruit to an optimum amount per tree.
Potassium is the key driver of fruit size and alongside nitrogen is required in large quantities throughout fruit development and growth. However, too much nitrogen at a late growth stage can restrict fruit size; therefore a balanced nutrient application is crucial. Phosphorus can restrict fruit growth too.
Iron and zinc supply also positively influence fruit size, increasing crop yields.
Potassium and fruit size
Trials confirm that the improved yield from potassium is due, in part, to reduced fruit set but mainly as a result of an increased fruit size.
Potassium - foliar application
According to the trials taken in Florida on sandy soils susceptible to potassium leaching, foliar K applied in the fall increased fruit size of Marsh Grapefruit.
Micronutrients and fruit size
Trials have shown that micronutrients like iron, manganese and zinc will affect the final fruit size. Lack of zinc, for example, results in smaller, misshapen fruit.
Related articles
Increasing Citrus Fruit Number
Citrus fruit number needs to be carefully managed and a strong supply of virtually all major and micronutrients is critical to fruit set and fruit number.
Application of fertiliser prior to flowering and then through to fruit set and early fruit fill is...
Preventing Citrus Peel Splitting
Peel splitting is often caused by extreme fluctuations in soil moisture as well as temperature and humidity.
Managing Citrus Fruit Acidity
During the ripening process fruit acids are degraded, the sugar content increases and the sugar/acid ratio reaches a higher value.
A high level of acidity - common in under-ripe fruit - makes the fruit taste sour. Conversely, over-ripe fruits have very...
Loss of Apical Dominance in Citrus
Citrus trees that lack apical dominance tend to grow in a more chaotic and less controlled way.
Where citrus trees lose their apical dominance and send out multiple shoots, check for boron deficiency.
