OPTIMIZATION OF NEW GENERATION POTASSIUM (NG-K) FERTILIZER FOR IMPROVEMENT IN QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF CITRUS (CITRUS LIMON)

Potassium (K) performs multiple essential functions in the plant, including enzyme activation and osmotic regulation. Citrus fruit quality gains considerable influence from potassium fertilizer rate, application method, sources used. The conducted field experiment assessed impact response of different levels K applications on yield parameters citrus fruit, determining a suitable time, stage, dose for trees. Comparing traditional fertilizer, i.e., sulfate potash (SOP), with new-generation (NG-K) employed use foliar soil (basal) applications. Treatments included (i) T1: Control (0 NPK), (ii) T2: Recommended NP without K, (iii) T3: 500 g as (SOP) (basal), (iv) T4: New generation @1.5% (foliar), (v) T5: 400 NG-K (basal). Observations revealed that trees responded positively growth characteristics, physiological attributes, under both basal sources. Notably, proved better source whether applied or spray. For characteristics like fresh weight leaves mass, obtaining highest values 35.2 172 g, respectively, resulted when applying NG-K. On other hand, maximum total sugar content (13 mg L-1) juice (40%) occurred foliar-applied Foliar to be more effective than SOP.