What to Do About Citrus Leaf Curl? A Full Breakdown of Causes and Solutions

When growing citrus, leaf curling often occurs, and this gives many fruit growers a real headache. Curled leaves not only cause the leaves to twist and lose their gloss, but also have a certain impact on yield. So what causes citrus leaf curl? What are the solutions? Below, Qinnong Network explains it for everyone.

1. Root-knot nematode damage

Root-knot nematodes are relatively small in size. They lurk on the citrus root system and constantly pierce the roots with their stylets, damaging the roots and causing small root galls to grow on them. This prevents the root system from growing and developing and from absorbing nutrients and water normally, which causes the leaves to turn yellow and curl due to a lack of nutrients and water.

Solution: Strengthen management, do a good job of root-knot nematode prevention and control, and once the disease is found, irrigate with medication in time to control it.

2. Lack of elements

Citrus growth requires many elements, and a deficiency of any one of them can trigger abnormal growth. The appearance of leaf curling may be due to a lack of trace elements such as boron and calcium.

Solution: Fertilize frequently when planting to supplement what the plant needs for growth, regularly apply organic fertilizer or multi-element compound fertilizer, and increase the content of trace elements in the soil.

3. Too many fruits set

Many fruit growers, due to proper management, have citrus set a large number of fruits when fruiting. This was originally meant to achieve the goal of high yield, but leaf curling still appears. In fact, the reason for the large number of fruits is that the fruits need sufficient nutrients and water as they grow. In addition, when the fruits are harvested late, nutrient consumption is excessive, and the plant cannot supply so many nutrients at once, which leads to leaf curling.

Solution: During the fruiting period, fertilizer is generally applied as a top dressing to ensure smooth fruit growth. After the fruits mature, they should be harvested in time, and fertilizer should be applied immediately after harvest to replenish the nutrients consumed by the plant and lay the foundation for flowering and fruiting the following year.

4. Environmental factors

The environment can also cause citrus leaf curling. Leaf curling occurs in environments that are dry, low-temperature, high-temperature, or have strongly acidic soil.

Solution: Choose a suitable environment for planting. In dry areas, water frequently to replenish moisture; in low temperatures, take good measures to keep warm and prevent freezing; in high-temperature seasons, find ways to lower the temperature, such as watering more or sprinkling water to increase air humidity; if the soil is too acidic, mix slaked lime or plant ash into the soil to adjust the acidity.

5. Improper application of winter fertilizer

In winter, when temperatures are low, fruit growers apply winter fertilizer to prevent freezing. However, if winter fertilizer is applied improperly and the fertilizer concentration is too high, it causes root burn, damages the root system, and reduces its ability to absorb nutrients and water the following year. In severe cases, the roots may rot and the plant may die.

Solution: Pay attention to the method and concentration when applying winter fertilizer. Do not let the fertilizer come into direct contact with the root system during application to avoid root burn. In addition, in early spring, apply water-soluble fertilizer by flushing, which can strengthen shoots and buds and allow the leaves to grow normally.

The above are the causes and solutions of citrus leaf curl brought to you by Qinnong Network. The causes of citrus leaf curl also include pests and diseases, improper girdling, and so on. In short, most of the causes are problems with nutrition and the root system. Doing a good job of protection in these two aspects can eliminate most of the causes of leaf curling.