Effects of Nitrogen Deficiency and Resupply on the Absorption of Mineral Nutrients by Tangor Cultivar ‘Shiranuhi’ (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) Grown in a Hydroponic System

Abstract

Tangor (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) cultivars obtained through interspecific hybridization have gained popularity in various countries, including South Korea. However, tangor has a relatively short history of cultivation and thus has been less well researched in terms of physiology and opping technology compared to mandarin. In addition, although tangor grows more vigorously than mandarin and thus has high nutrient demands and longer harvest time, it is more prone to various physiological disorders. Furthermore, the demand for nutrients could vary depending on the cultivars even within the same species. Thus, the current study examined the effects of nitrogen deficiency and resupply on the uptake of mineral nutrients using a specific cultivar ‘Shiranuhi’ as a case study. In this study, the tangor cultivar ‘Shiranuhi’ was cultivated in a hydroponics system, which allows the control of nutrient contents, and changes in mineral nutrient contents under nitrogen deficiency and nitrogen resupply were examined. Based on this, the results show the straightforward relationship between nitrogen and other mineral nutrients under a hydroponic system applying the cultivation of tangor. This implies that the hydroponics system can be applied to tangor cultivation and efficiently and widely expanded in Northeast Asia, and the income of growers will increase through the production of high-quality fruits.