Author : Araceli Pérez-Sanz, Ana Álvarez-Férnandez, Tomás Casero, Francisco Legaz, Juan José Lucena.

Address : Dpto. Química Agrícola. Facultad de Ciencias C-VII. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. E-28049 Madrid, Spain; ETSIA Avda Alcalde de Rovira Roure 177 E-25198 Lleida, Spain; IVIA Carretera de Moncada a Náquera Km 5. E-46113 Valencia. Spain

Abstract : Fe enriched biosolids as fertilizers for orange and peach trees grown in field conditions.

Journal : Plant and Soil,

Volume No. : 241(1)

Publish Year : 2002

Page No. : 145-153

Main Data : Iron enriched biosolids (FEB) from water treatment facilities are being used as an alternative to synthetic chelates in order to improve Fe uptake. The impact of this type of products on iron nutrition is not fully understood. Plant response depends on FEB composition, soil and climatic conditions and crop response. In order to study the effectiveness of FEB as fertilisers, two field experiments have been carried out. Two different commercial formulations of FEB (unmodified u-FEB and modified m-FEB) produced as a by-product of a drinking water treatment facility in Tampa (Florida, USA) were used. An orange tree (Citrus sinensis, cv. Navelina) and a peach tree (Prunus persica cv. Sudanell) field experiments took place in different locations in Spain. Macro and micronutrients were evaluated to assess mineral status of orange and peach leaf samples. Yield and fruit size were also determined. Despite the large amount of Fe bound by the organic matter on FEB, these products were less effective than synthetic chelates to improve iron uptake. No differences were found in orange yield or size. Results show that the ferric treatments improve fruit calibre, but not yield in peaches.