Calcium and magnesium nanoparticle incidence on lemon productivity

Abstract

Calcium and magnesium are essential elements in plant nutrition and there are currently fertilizers on the market made up of dolomite nanoparticles, which allow them to be incorporated into the soil or by foliar application. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incidence of calcium/magnesium nanofertilization on productivity, foliar nutrition and fruit quality of Eureka lemon. The following treatments were evaluated: 1: Control; 2: Nanoparticles Ca (9.8 %)-Mg (5.9 %) 2 L ha^-1 [foliar route]; 3: Nanoparticles Ca (9.8 %)-Mg (5.9 %) 4 L ha^-1 [foliar route]; 4: Nanoparticles Ca (9.8 %)-Mg (5.9 %) 2 L ha^-1 [applied to the soil]; 5 Nanoparticles Ca (9.8 %)-Mg (5.9 %) 4 L ha^-1 [applied to the soil]. It is in a Randomized Complete Block design with four replicates and four plants per replicate. Leaf samples were taken in March in two consecutive campaigns, determining concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium. At harvest, 40 fruits per experimental plot were selected, evaluating equatorial diameter, juice percentage, and production in kilograms per plant, content of total soluble solids, titratable acidity and maturity index. Calcium/magnesium nanofertilization applied via foliar 2 L ha^-1 and applied to soil 4 L ha^-1 were associated with foliar magnesium concentration, favoring an accumulation of this nutrient over time. The treatment with calcium/magnesium nanofertilizer in doses of 4 L ha^-1 applied to the soil was significant in the percentage of fruit juice of ʹEurekaʹ lemon plants.