Effect of Wood Ash on Growth and Productivity of Valencia Orange Trees Under New Reclaimed Land Conditions

Author : Sahar A. Farid

This investigation was carried out during two successive seasons (2020 and 2021) on the 8 -year- old of Valencia orange trees grown in a private orchard located at Cairo- Alex. Road to study the effects of wood ash levels, (W1= 0, W2= 625, W3=1250 and W4=2500 g/tree/year), two levels of elemental sulfur without or with sulfur (S1 = 0 and S2500g/ tree/year S) and their interactions, on growth fruit quality of Valencia orange trees were studied under desert stress conditions. The best results were recorded with wood ash treatment at 2500 g/tree/year level with elemental sulfur at 500g/ tree/year (S)which improved shoot length, shoot diameter, number of leaves/ shoot, leave area, total chlorophyll in leaves, leaf dry matter %, nutrients, fruit set%, fruit retention%, number of fruits per tree, fruit weight, yield kg/ tree, yield ton/ feddan, yield increment %, fruit volume, fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit shape index, fruit TSS, fruit T.S.S./acid ratio, vitamin C and total sugar, Juice %.While, reduced rind thickness, fruit total acidity content. So this treatment was proved to be the most efficient in enhancing, the yield and fruit quality of Valencia orange trees.

Keywords : Citrus, Valencia orange, Wood ash, Elemental sulfur, Leaf mineral content,

Received:11/30/2023 12:00:00 AM; Accepted: 12/30/2023 12:00:00 AM