What are the reasons for uneven fruit size in citrus

During the autumn shoot growth period of citrus, which is also the final fruit expansion period, uneven fruit size appears at this time, and it can no longer be improved by then. If fertilizer and water management is strengthened, the large fruits will become even larger and develop puffiness. So what are the reasons for large and small citrus fruits? Let us learn about them together.

1. Direct causes

During the first physiological fruit drop period of citrus, if the young fruits do not drop, or very few drop, and they only drop at the second physiological fruit drop, with large and small fruits dropping together, then the remaining young fruits will vary in size, causing severe large-and-small fruit problems later. If the first physiological fruit drop proceeds normally, then the poor small fruits drop, and the remaining normal young fruits will be relatively more uniform. The main reason for little or no fruit drop at the first physiological fruit drop is having flowers but no spring shoots, so the tree's nutrients are concentrated in the fruits, affecting normal fruit drop at the first physiological fruit drop.

2. Indirect causes

When controlling winter shoots, improper use of chemicals, too high a concentration, or too many applications can all cause flowers but no shoots in spring. In addition, the phenomenon of flowers but no shoots is also relatively common in plants with weaker tree vigor, while excessively vigorous tree vigor also very easily leads to normal spring shoots but no flowers. There are many reasons for weak tree vigor, such as insufficient nutrients and damaged roots.

3. Preventive measures

During the fruit expansion period, nutrients are insufficient. In May to July, when fertilizer deficiency is most likely, fertilizer is generally not applied or only a little is applied for fear of triggering a large flush of small shoots, and insufficient tree nutrients very easily leads to severe large-and-small fruit. At the beginning of flowering, one application of a flower-drop fertilizer can be added, combining potassium fertilizer with a high-quality water-soluble fertilizer. When spraying chemicals to control winter shoots, it is advisable to choose paclobutrazol + monopotassium phosphate and spray alone, mainly spraying the autumn shoot positions 1-2 times. This is relatively safe and it is not advisable to spray the whole plant. For weak trees, trees with a heavy fruit load, and trees that release shoots late, spray once or do not spray.

  The above introduction to the causes of uneven citrus fruit size is hoped to help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.