Effect of some slow release N fertilizers on growth and fruiting of two mango cultivars, Figri Kelan and Keitt.
Mohamed A. Y., Sanaa S. E.
Author Affiliation: Tropical Fruit Dept., Hort. Res. Instit., Agric. Res. Center, Giza, Egypt.
Arab Universities Journal of Agricultural Sciences 14 : 321-335
Abstract : A study was conducted in Aswan Governorate, Egypt, to compare 3 slow release N fertilizers, namely sulfur-coated urea (SCU), phosphorus-coated urea (PCU) and Enciabene (ENC), with the conventional fast release N fertilizer, i.e. ammonium nitrate, each at the recommended rate of 1000 g N tree-1 year-1, for growth characters during 3 growth flushes (spring, summer and autumn), percentages of leaf N, P and K in spring growth cycle, date of first flowering, number of panicles per tree, fruit retention percentage and yield as well as fruit physical and chemical characters in 2 mango cultivars Figri Kelan and Keitt during 2004 and 2005 seasons. The application of the 3 slow release N fertilizers was superior to the application of the fast one in improving shoot length, number of leaves per shoot and leaf area in the 3 growth cycles, percentage of leaf N and number of panicles per tree as well as fruit physical and chemical properties. The slow release N fertilizers slightly advanced the first flowering date. The application of SCU, PCU and ENC, in descending order, was very favourable in this connection. These results were true for both mango cultivars. It is suggested to supply the trees of both mango cultivars with 1000 g N tree-1 year-1 as SCU (2.4 kg tree-1 year-1) to obtain an economical yield, with fairly good fruit quality.