Nitrogen-fertilizer forms affect the nitrogen-use efficiency in fertigated citrus groves

The fertigated area of the Brazilian citrus industry has grown rapidly during recent years, and an efficient management of nitrogen (N) application at these sites is required for sustainable citrus production. Therefore, a field trial with Valencia orange trees [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] on Swingle citrumelo rootstock (Citrus paradise Macfad. x Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) was conducted for 8 years to evaluate the effects of N rates (80, 160, 240 and 320 kg ha–1 y–1) applied by fertigation, either as ammonium nitrate (AN) or calcium nitrate (CN), on soil solution dynamics, fruit yield, nutritional status, and N‐use efficiency (NUE) of trees. The maximum fruit yield was reached with 240 kg N ha–1 for AN, whereas a linear response and greater fruit yield was observed for N supplied as CN. The NUE was reduced for both N forms with increasing N rates. However, the NUE for CN was 14 to 38% greater than the NUE for AN. The lower fruit yield and NUE for AN compared to CN‐treated trees was associated with the increased acidification of the soil solution with increased AN rates (pH ≤ 4.0). This limited nitrification resulted in a high ammonium (NH$ _4^+ $) concentration in the soil solution and a reduction in the net absorption of cations by the trees, particularly calcium (Ca). Due to the improved ion balance as well as the higher pH of the soil solution (pH ≥ 6.3) and diminished NH$ _4^+ $ availability, gains in both fruit yield and NUE in fertigated citrus groves in tropical soils can be obtained with the use of CN as a source of N.