ABSTRACT:

Micronutrients play a crucial role in plant metabolic processes, directly influencing growth and development. In Citrus, suboptimal nutritional practices often compromise fruit yield and quality. This study evaluated the effects of foliar application of zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) and copper sulphate (CuSO₄) on the reproductive growth and quality attributes of Citrus reticulata Blanco (Kinnow mandarin). Treatments, including ZnSO₄ and CuSO₄ alone and in combination, were applied at the onset of new growth (first week of September 2021) and repeated after 15 days. Results indicated that foliar application of ZnSO₄ (0.5%) significantly enhanced the number of flowers (124.27), juice weight (66.87 g), juice percentage (49.1%), and vitamin C content (46.87 mg/100 mL). The highest fruit weight (149.67 g), peel weight (39.0 g), fruit diameter (75.64 mm), total soluble solids (12.58 °Brix), reducing sugars (4.57%), non-reducing sugars (6.73%) and total sugars (11.3%) were recorded with ZnSO₄ at 1–1.5%. However, the highest rag weight (44.4 g) was obtained at 1% ZnSO_4, followed by 0.5% CuSO₄ (42.07 g). The results also revealed that foliar applications of CuSO₄ have significantly improved fruit juice contents. Additionally, the fruit set percentage in the subsequent year was improved. Overall, the ZnSO₄ application alone proved more effective in enhancing reproductive growth and fruit quality compared to CuSO₄ or the control treatment.

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