Growth Trend, Nutritional Responses, and Chlorosis Degree of Satsuma Mandarin in Calcareous Soils of East Mazandaran

In this research, the reaction of Satsuma mandarin (on Swingle citromelo rootstock) to calcareous soils was investigated in pots with soils from east of Mazandaran province, using a randomized complete block design. The highest mean of shoot dry weight was obtained in soils with 14% total lime and 5% active lime. The highest chlorosis was observed in soils from west of Neka and east of Sari with 30 and 45% total lime and 14 and 16% active lime, while the least chlorosis was obtained in soils with no lime or with 3% active lime and 2% to 9% total lime. Total and active iron concentration in leaves and root did not have a significant relationship with degree of leaf chlorosis and soils with 2% total lime (south of Babol) and 9% total lime (west of Ghaemshar had the highest total iron concentration in root and the least symptoms of leaf chlorosis. Mean iron concentration in root was about 7.5 times that of leaves that showed iron accumulation and deposition in root. Mean Mn concentration in leaves in most soils was lower than optimum (>25 mgkg-1) while soils available Mn was more than optimum (2.5 mgkg-1) for citrus trees. Mean Mn concentration in roots was about 3.3 times that of leaves. In contrast, although available Zn of some soils was lower than optimum, in most soils, Zn concentration of leaves was in the optimum range. In general, according to results of this research, Satsuma mandarin on Swingle citromelo rootstock is inappropriate in soils with total lime more than 14% and active lime more than 5%. Also, due to low absorption and transmission efficiency from roots to shoots and severe deficiency in leaves, Mn is the most limiting microelement for this rootstock-scion combination.