Evaluation of the nutritional status of Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulataBlanco) by foliar sampling

Studies were conducted during 1991-95 to determine the leaf sampling age, l eaf position on a terminal, and leaf sample size suitable for nutritional d iagnosis using foliar analysis in Nagpur mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco ) grown in the three most widely occurring soil types under the hot sub-hum id tropical climate of Central India. A suitable period of leaf sampling wa s observed at 6-8 months of leaf age in Ambia flush (February bloom) in Typ ic Chromustert and 5-7 months in Mrig flush (July bloom) in Typic Ustochrep t and Typic Ustorthent soil types. Leaf sampling at 6-8 months from plants grown in Typic Chromustert revealed that any leaf position from the 2nd, 3r d, or 4th leaf from non-fruiting terminals would be equally effective in ob taining a nutritionally representative leaf sample with a minimum of 30 lea ves covering 2% trees in an orchard.