SOME OBSERVATIONS ON NITRITE FORMATION AND THE ABSORPTION OF NITROGEN BY CITRUS

Abstract

12 trees of Valencia orange budded on rough lemon root stock were set in coarse (1/4 to 1/8 inch) silica gravel. Complete nutrient solns. were used in which the form of N in different solns. was urea, ammonium, or nitrate. Wilting of trees occurred during the warmest period of the yr. when the source of N in the nutrient solns. was in the form of urea. Concomitant with this wilting was a very apparent accumulation of nitrite in these solns. Relatively high temps. were a factor in nitrite accumulation, which could be counteracted by sufficient aeration of the nutrient solns. There was evidence that urea, ammonium, and nitrate were absorbed by the roots of citrus trees.