Journal of Environmental Protection and Ecology 17, No 1, 291296 (2016)

Environmental protection and sustainable development

EVALUATION OF FERTILITY STATUS OF SATSUMA

MANDARIN (Citrus unshiu M a r c o v i t c h) SOILS IN IZMIR
REGION
N. T. BARLAS*, M. CICEKLI
Agricultural Faculty, Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition Department, Ege
University, Izmir, Turkey
E-mail: tuba.barlas@ege.edu.tr
a

Abstract. This study was conducted to evaluate the soil fertility status in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus
unshiu M a r c o v i t c h) orchards in zmir region of Turkey, where mandarin production is very
widespread. Research material consisted of soil samples that were taken from a depth of 030 cm in
35 orchards as representative of zmir region. 62.9% of soils showed a neutral reaction and 31.4%
were mildly alkaline. While 42.9% of soils showed no problem with salt, 57.1% were mildly affected
by salt. It was shown that 54.3% of the soils were calcareous, 94.3% were poor in humus and a silt
loam structure dominated in 31.4% of soils. Nitrogen levels were medium in 34.3% of the soils and
54.3% of the soils were adequate in phosphorus. Many of the soils were rich in potassium and a
great excess of calcium was found in 2.9% of soils. Mg levels were found to be adequate in 62.9% of
soils. No deficiency of Fe, Cu or Mn was found in the soils, but for Zn, 2.9% were deficient, 25.7%
showed a risk of deficiency, and 71.4% showed a good level.
Keywords: mandarin, Izmir region, soil fertility, plant nutrients.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

This study was planned to make an evaluation of fertility status of Satsuma mandarin soils where commonly produced in Izmir city. It is also aimed to provide basic
information about soil needs in terms of fertilisation. It is thought that dismanagement of fertilisers can be decreased with considering the soil content.
The mandarin is believed to be originated from China many years ago and
spread to Europe finally It is the largest and most varied group of edible citrus1.
This fruit group is popular because most of the varieties are easy to peel and section well. To be well adapted to various condition is an other factor that makes its
production more common all around the world2.
The cultivation and production is improving year by year in Turkey as well in
the world. It is mostly produced in Agean and Mediterannian Region. The significant mandarin production areas of Agean Region are Izmir, Mugla and Aydin cities.

For correspondence.

291

As the citrus cultivation develops, it is tried to have knowledge about soils

physical and chemical properties that fruits are produced to determine nutritional
status of these fruits. There have been some studies that aim to evaluate elemental
composition and fertility status of some production areas. It was determined the
nutritional and fertility status of Marmara Region in order to create an actual soil
nutrient database of this region using Geographical Information System3. Other
authors4 evaluated microelements (Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) content of leaf and soil
samples taken from Satsuma mandarin orchards in Gumuldur province (Izmir).
They reported that the highest variability of soil samples was determined in Zn
(VC= 109.87) and the lowest one was determined in Fe (VC = 27.77). Ogus et al.5
also mentioned the significance of conservation and improvement of soil fertility
in terms of sustainable agriculture. They studied on Celikli catchment farmlands
elemental content and found B and Zn deficiency in the area. Ozkan et al.6 evaluated
the soil fertility of pepper greenhouses of Antalya to take control the production.
Rezael et al.7 studied the inorganic nitrogen fertilisers effects on soil fertility. Radu
et al.8 studied the recovery of nutrients from industrial wastewaters and Mlasenov
et al.9 determined elemental concentration of soils by quantitative XRF. There
are various studies on soil fertility for different plants and areas. However, any
current data do not exist about Satsuma mandarin orchards in Izmir Region. The
majority of Satsuma mandarin export is realised from Izmir city. When it comes
to exports, quality can be one step ahead of yield. No doubt that, soil chemical and
physical properties are the most important parameters that affecting fruit quality.
For this reason, soil fertility status of Satsuma mandarin orchard in Izmir city is
assessed in this study.
EXPERIMENTAL
This research was carried out on a total of 35 soil samples taken from Satsuma
mandarin orchards situated in Izmir city. The soil samples were collected from a
depth of 030 (Ref. 10). Soil reaction (pH) was determined by pH meter in saturation paste, total water-soluble salt was determined by conductivimetry, lime content
was determined by calcimetry11 and texture was determined by the hydrometric
method12. Total N was determined by the modified Kjeldahl method13, available
phosphorus by the Olsen method14. Available Na+, K+ and Ca2+ were determined
by flame-photometric method, Mg2+ by atomic absorption spectrophotometry
(AAS) in 1 N ammonium acetate (NH4OAc) extracts and available Fe, Mn, Zn and
Cu by the DTPA method in an AAS (Ref. 11). Descriptive statistics (minimum,
maximum and average values) and relations between the characteristics of the
soil samples examined were evaluated by correlation analysis using the statistics
program SPSS 15.0.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Soil properties. Soil status of the sites is summarised in Table 1. Soil pH ranged
from 6.62 to 7.95 indicating mostly (62.9% of soils) neutral reaction and rest;
mildly alkaline (31.4%) and mildly (5.7%) (Ref. 15). The pH value in Turkey soils16
ranges from 7.5 to 8.5 and this range dominates in the Agean region as 49.01%.
Water soluble salt content (%) varied from 0.01 to 0.22 and explained that 42.9%
of soils showed no problem on salt, however, 57.1% of them were mildly affected
by salt17. It was shown that 54.3% of the soils were calcareous, 31.4% were poor
and 14.3% were rich in lime18. The minimum and maximum values are 0.4 and
42.9%, respectively. Organic matter (%) varied from 0.7 to 3.1 and 94.3% were
poor and the rest were found as rich19. In terms of structure, it was found that a
silt loam structure dominated in 31.4% of soils.
Total nitrogen levels were medium in 34.3% of the soils and at a good level in
28.6% (Ref. 20). It was determined 0.011% available N when orchard efficiency
is 86% (Ref. 21). According to FAOs classification22 of phosphorus; 54.3% of the
soils were adequate and rest were poor. P content varied between 1.8 and 29.8 mg
kg1. It was determined 12.8 mg kg1 available P, when orchard efficiency is 86%
(Ref. 21). This value is parallel to the average value (14.10 mg kg1) obtained in
this study. Most of the soils (51.4%) were rich in potassium, 42.9% were found
to be adequate, and rest of them were inadequate23. A great excess of calcium was
found in 2.9% of soils, an excess in 28.6% and a normal level in 54.3%. Mg levels
were found to be adequate in 62.9% of soils24.
Any deficiency of Fe, Cu or Mn exists in the soils. However, 2.9% of soils
were deficient, 25.7% showed a risk of deficiency, and 71.4% showed a good level
in Zn. It was determined 0.96 mg kg1 available Zn in relation to optimum orchard
efficiency of 82.1% (Ref. 21). It was reported that Zn deficiency is very common
around the world especially in crop production25. Moreover, nutrients variations
in this study are similar to the data in Ref. 26 in which 108 soil samples were analysed.
Table 1. Physical and chemical properties of soils

Value pH

Salt CaCO3 OM N
P
K
(%)
Min. 6.62 0.01 0.4 0.7 0.02 1.8 50
Max. 7.95 0.22 42.9 3.1 0.16 29.8 455
Mean 7.19 0.14 7.1 1.5 0.08 14.1 294

Ca

Mg Na Fe Cu Mn Zn
(mg kg1)
1472 26
7.4 3.8 0.3 1.9 0.3
8727 590 320.1 15.9 11.5 27.3 4.4
2605 218 119.8 9.4 2.4 13.1 1.5

OM organic matter.

Kilic et al.4 carried out an experiment on micro element content of Satsuma

mandarin soils grown in Gumuldur (Izmir) province which is very parallel to this
study. They found Fe content between 6.5021.20 mg kg1, found Cu content
between 0.8512.04 mg kg1, Mn content was found between 7.60 and 25.00
293

mgkg1 and Zn content was found between 0.599.13 mg kg1. It is seen that their
values are a little higher than those found in this study. That can be related with
fertilisation techniques.
Correlations between some soil characters. Significant correlation coefficients are
given in Table 2. A positive relationship was determined of pH with Ca and Mg; of
total salt with K, Ca and Mn; of CaCO3 with Ca, Mg, Na; of organic matter with
K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu; of N with K, Ca, Na and Cu; of P with K, Fe, Cu and of K
with Na and Mn. Also some significant correlations were found between CaMg,
CaNa; between MgNa and FeCu.
Table 2. Correlation coefficients for some soils characteristics

Soil chracteristics
pH
Total salt
CaCO3
Org. matter
N
P
K
Ca
Mg
Na
Fe

K
0.250
0.435**
0.299
0.411*
0.578**
0.508**

Ca
0.419**
0.329*
0.768**
0.366*
0.353*
0.306
0.292

Mg
0.364*
0.316
0.359*
0.367*
0.240
0.070
0.133
0.447**

Na

Fe

0.186
0.006
0.239
0.068
0.436** 0.045
0.100
0.352*
0.508** 0.312
0.272
0.357*
0.337*
0.163
0.474** 0.094
0.424** 0.290
0.158

Cu

Mn

0.022
0.127
0.111
0.477**
0.128
0.181
0.422** 0.217
0.344*
0.286
0.422** 0.181
0.162
0.399*
0.238
0.253
0.029
0.266
0.094
0.211
0.568** 0.175

** Significant at p = 0.01; *significant at p = 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS
Regarding to results, it can be said that high salt content can be observed in plants
of some orchards. Therefore, it will be useful to decide correct rootstock before
settling orchard. Zinc deficiency can also occur in the area.
To receive a high yield and qualified fruits, a balanced fertilisation is needed.
When dismanagement of fertilisers is realised, some deficiencies or toxicities
can occur. Also, some elements can leach from the surface of the soil because of
over-fertilisation. That also affects soil pollution. The management of fertilisation
in terms of determining current nutrition status of mandarin orchards and their
enhance is quite important.

294

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