• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.132-139
• /
• 1999

A field experiment was conducted at Cheju from early March 1998 to early March 1999 to evaluate the effects of foliar applied urea on leaf N content and N recovery in satsuma mandarins (Citrus unshiu Marc.). Seven years old 'Okitsu Wase' trees received foliar spray of urea (22 or 43 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$) or soil application of urea (86 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$). 56% of N was applied in spring, 11% in summer and 33% in fall. There were seven trees per N treatment and two trees per N treatment received $^{15}N$-labeled urea in spring and summer to determine N recovery. There were no differences between the treatments for fruit yield and its quality. Nitrogen content of spring flush leaf blades up to early September was greater for trees received foliar spray comparing with soil application but was not greatly affected by any treatment after mid-November. The recovery of fertilizer N in various parts of trees receiving foliar spray of 22 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$ was greatest, followed by receiving foliar spray of 43 g N and soil application of 86 g N. The recovery of fertilizer N in tree was 29.2 and 17.7% for foliar spray of 22 and 43 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$, respectively and 8.0% for soil application of 86 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$. The recovery of fertilizer N in the upper 40 cm of soil was 50.3, 45.6, and 51.8% for foliar spray of 22 and 43 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$, and soil application of 86 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$ respectively. The total (tree, fallen leaves, winter weeds, and soil) recovery of fertilizer N was 81.8, 65.1, and 60.6% for foliar spray of 22 and 43 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$, and soil application of 86 g N $tree^{-1}yr^{-1}$, respectively.