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Citrus, being a popularly consumed fruit, requires meticulous water management during its cultivation process. Citrus trees have a high demand for water and need irrigation when the soil moisture content is below 60%. However, traditional irrigation methods such as furrow irrigation and sprinkling not only consume large amounts of water and require significant labor but are also challenging to manage. In the context of rising costs of labor, pesticides, and other expenses, it has become crucial for citrus farmers to find ways to reduce orchard management costs and improve planting efficiency.
In recent years, water retention agents for agriculture and forestry have emerged as a new water-saving solution for citrus water management. Known as "drought resistance water retention agents" or "soil water retention agents", these materials are superabsorbent polymers with a unique three-dimensional network structure capable of repeatedly absorbing and releasing water, demonstrating exceptional water-retaining capabilities.
Impact of Water Retention Agents on the Survival Rate of Planted Citrus Seedlings
On June 28, 2013, a survey was conducted on the survival rate of citrus seedlings planted on November 2, 2012. Results indicated that the survival rate of seedlings treated with varying amounts of water retention agents was significantly higher than that of the control group. Specifically, the survival rates of seedlings treated with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 grams per plant increased by 13.1%, 14.8%, 15.9%, 16.2%, and 16.3%, respectively, compared to the control group. This demonstrates that water retention agents can effectively increase the survival rate of planted citrus seedlings, particularly in drought years.
Impact of Water Retention Agents on Soil Moisture Content in Citrus Orchards
Research findings show that after using water retention agents, the soil moisture content in the root zone of citrus trees remained higher than that of the control group for 7 to 14 days, with an increasing trend as the amount of water retention agent used increased. This indicates that water retention agents can effectively maintain soil moisture and improve soil water conditions.
Impact of Water Retention Agents on the Growth and Yield of Mature Citrus Trees
Experimental results indicate that the use of water retention agents can promote the elongation and thickening of new shoots in citrus trees to varying degrees, with the effect becoming more pronounced with increased amounts of water retention agents. Specifically, the single fruit weight increased by 21 to 31 grams, yield per plant increased by 0.3 to 2.7 kilograms, and the yield increase rate ranged from 2.9% to 26.8%. This suggests that water retention agents not only help improve the growth of citrus trees but also significantly boost orchard yields.
In summary, the application of agricultural and forestry water retention agents in citrus cultivation has shown remarkable effectiveness. They can significantly enhance the survival rate of citrus seedlings, maintain soil moisture, and promote the growth and yield of citrus trees. Especially in drought years, water retention agents can provide effective moisture assurance for citrus cultivation, making it a promising water management technology. SOCO is dedicated to offering innovative solutions for agricultural and forestry water retention agents, including those for citrus cultivation. SOCO's water retention agents utilize advanced organic high polymer materials, boasting superior water absorption and release capabilities. They can effectively improve soil moisture conditions, reduce water loss, and enhance soil water retention performance. As a professional supplier, SOCO's water-retaining product (e.g., plant water gel) has been widely applied in the cultivation of citrus and other fruit trees, backed by years of research and practical validation.
Source: De-Xiang Dong, Dong-Yun Li, Tao Shen, Hong-Lei Zhou, Mei-Qiong Zhao, Zhao-Chang Luo. Preliminary Report on the Effect of Water Retention Agents in Citrus Cultivation.
