In this section you’ll find examples of fertilizer schedules for citrus orchards in various growth environments. The presented programs are suited to specified cultivation interfaces, growth conditions and target yields.
Note: The hereunder should be regarded as a general guide only. The exact fertilization program should be determined according to the specific crop needs, soil type, water analysis, cultivar, and most important – the grower’s experience.
Nutrigation™ of citrus crops
Nutrigation™ (fertigation) delivers pure plant nutrients through the irrigation system, supplying them precisely to the zone of most intensive root activity. A well-balanced Nutrigation™ program provides plants with their exact needs, as they change along the season.
Note: it is highly recommended to get an analysis of the irrigation water when setting the Nutrigation™ program, as the ions in the water must be considered when balancing nutrient concentrations and availability.
Learn more about the benefits of Nutrigation™
Examples of Nutrigation™ program
Nutrigation™ program for bearing orchards in Israel
| Growth phase and orchard condition* | Fertilizer | kg/ha | No. of bags | ||||
| Fertilizer | N | P2O5 | K2O | ||||
| Bud emergence (March-April) | Drippers are clean | Poly-Feed 12-43-12 | 50-80 | 6 | 20 | 6 | 2-3 |
| Drippers need cleaning | Phosphoric acid | 20-30 liters | 0 | 20-30 | 0 | ||
| From the beginning of Spring (April) till June | Healthy vegetative growth, no indication of deficiencies | Poly-Feed 20-20-20 or 30-10-10 | 250 | 75 | 25 | 25 | 10 |
| Addition of N, Ca and Mg is required | Haifa Cal GG | 125 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| Haifa Mag | 125 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
| Addition of Ca and Mg is needed, N addition should be avoided | Haifa Cal Absolute | 125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |
| BitterMag | 125 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | ||
| June till beginning of color break | Proper condition | Multi-K | 250 | 30 | 0 | 115 | 10 |
| Excessive vegetative growth | Haifa SOP | 125 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 50 | |
| Post harvest | Proper condition | Poly-Feed 23-7-23 | 0-150 | 35 | 10 | 35 | 6 |
| Weak trees and/or yield was high | Poly-Feed 20-20-20 | 0-150 | 35 | 10 | 35 | 6 | |
| Total | 700 | 145 | 55 | 180 | 21 | ||
Fertilization program for citrus orchards in Valencia, Spain Expected yield: 60 ton/ha
Nutrient requirements at each growth stage
| Stage | Days (estimation) | Macro nutrients (kg/ha) | Secondary nutrients (kg/ha) | Micronutrients (g/ha) | |||||||||
N total | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO | SO4 | Fe | Mn | Zn | Cu | Mo | B | ||
| Vegetative growth | 120 | 45 | 24 | 22 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Flowering to fruit set | 60 | 133 | 20 | 38 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 400 | 200 | 66.8 | 50 | 33.2 | 0 |
| Fruit development | 120 | 77 | 20 | 45 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harvest | 30 | 45 | 20 | 45 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 400 | 200 | 66.8 | 50 | 33.2 | 0 |
| Total | 360 | 300 | 84 | 150 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 800 | 400 | 133.6 | 100 | 66.4 | 0 |
Recommended fertilizers amounts at each growth stage (grams/ha/day)
| Vegetative growth | Flowering to fruit set | Fruit development | Harvest |
| Tank A | ||||
| Multi-K GG | 397 | 1370 | 812 | 1623 |
| Haifa MAP | 328 | 546 | 273 | 546 |
| Ammonium Sulfate | 932 | 8260 | 1827 | 1436 |
| Tank B | ||||
| Haifa Mag | 591 | 1138 | 591 | 538 |
| Haifa Cal GG | 157 | 692 | 346 | 692 |
| Haifa Micro Combi | 92 | 92 | ||
View the detailed program on NutriNet
Fertilization program for citrus var Tango in Spain Expected yield: 60 ton/ha
Nutrient requirems at each growth stage
| Stage | Days (estimation) | Macro nutrients (kg/ha) | Secondary nutrients (kg/ha) | Micronutrients (g/ha) | |||||||||
N total | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO | SO4 | Fe | Mn | Zn | Cu | Mo | B | ||
| Vegetative growth (Feb-Mar) | 60 | 60 | 17 | 28 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 72 | 72 | 34 | 29 | 1.9 | 18.9 |
| Flowering to fruit set (Apr-May) | 60 | 84 | 23 | 39 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 162 | 162 | 78 | 66 | 3.8 | 37.8 |
| Fruit development (Jun-Sep) | 120 | 130 | 52 | 172 | 38 | 14 | 0 | 404 | 404 | 193 | 164 | 9.4 | 94.5 |
| Harvest to final (Oct-Jan) | 120 | 40 | 13 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 0.5 | 5.0 |
| Total | 360 | 314 | 105 | 294 | 38 | 29 | 0 | 660 | 660 | 315 | 266 | 15.6 | 156.3 |
Recommended fertilizers amounts at each growth stage (grams/ha/day)
| Vegetative growth | Flowering to fruit set | Fruit development | Harvest |
| Tank A | ||||
| Multi-K GG | 1010 | 1407 | 3102 | 992 |
| Ammonium Sulfate | 3525 | 4919 | 1500 | 848 |
| Haifa MAP | 464 | 628 | 710 | 178 |
| Borax | 3 | 6 | 7 | - |
| Tank B | ||||
| Haifa Mag | 645 | 986 | 753 | - |
| Haifa Cal GG | - | - | 1195 | - |
| Haifa Micro Cu 15 | 3 | 7 | 9 | - |
| Haifa Micro Fe 13 | 9 | 21 | 26 | 1 |
| Haifa Micro Mn 13 | 9 | 21 | 26 | 1 |
| Haifa Micro Zn 15 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 1 |
View the detailed program on NutriNet
Foliar Fertilization in Orchards
Foliar fertilization is typically combined with crop protection sprays. It should not be mixed with copper products, sulfur, or oils. Proper spraying conditions must be ensured (appropriate humidity, temperature, and wind conditions).
Note: Do not combine foliar fertilizers with copper, sulfur, or oils. Spray during cool hours with high humidity.
| Objective | Product | Timing | Concentration | No. of applications |
| Improve bud breaking and fruit setting | Poly-Feed 21-21-21 | February (before flowering) March-April (flowering) | 1.5-2% 1% | 1-2 1-2 |
| Magnesium supply | Haifa Mag + Triton B 1965 0.025% Tivolin or BB5 0.05% | April-May, right after end of petal fall, when young foliage reaches 2/3 of final size | 1-1.4% | 1-2 every 2-3 weeks |
| Correction of manganese deficiency | Haifa Micro Mn | Spring/summer/fall, at the end of flowering | 0.1% | 1 |
| Correction of zinc deficiency | Haifa Micro Zn | 0.1% | 1 | |
| Nutrition in young orchard or when changing cultivar | Poly-Feed 21-21-21 | March-August | 2% | every 2-3 weeks |
| Fruitlet thinning and fruit enlargement | Haifa Bonus | From the beginning of May till the end of July | 3-4% | 1-3 |
| ||||
| Treatment for fruit creasing and cracking | Haifa Bonus | From the beginning of May till the end of July | 3-4% 0.1%+4% | 1-3 |
| Control of Florida wax scale | Haifa Bonus | When 1st caterpillar is seen | 5% | 1-2 |
| Correction of potassium deficiencies | Haifa Bonus | May-August | 3-4% 0.1%+4% | 1-2 |
Get tips for safe & successful foliar nutrition
Controlled-release fertilizers
A single application of Multicote™ Agri controlled-release fertilizer deliver continuous nutrition over months, supporting establishment of young trees, and regulating growth and supporting productivity of bearing trees.
Young orchards
Suggested formulas: 30-6-8, 17-7-14.
| Year | Application rate |
| Planting | 80-100 g/tree |
| 2nd | 160-200 g/tree |
| 3rd | 240-400 g/tree |
| 4th | 320-500 g/tree |
In the planting year, Multicote™ Agri can be applied in the planting hole before planting. In subsequent years, it should be applied beneath two emitters located on either side of the tree.
If applied after planting and there is an emitter close to the sapling, Multicote™ Agri should be placed on the opposite side of the drip line, about 10 cm from the plant. In any case, Multicote™ Agri must not be applied directly onto the root ball.
Discover Multicote™ Agri Junior – the best start for young orchards
Bearing orchards
Suggested formula: 19-3-28
| Tree size | Application rate |
| Small | 80-100 g/tree |
| Large | 240-400 g/tree |
Apply Multicote™ Agri 4-6 weeks before bud breck. Apply the fertilizer granules under 4 drippers around the tree and cover with soil.
Use the MultiMach tool to suit fertilizer formula and set application rate according to the actual conditions in your orchard.
HaifaStim™ nutritional complements
HaifaStim™ is an innovative range of biostimulants designed to strengthen plants and optimize their growth environment. By supporting physiological processes and enhancing overall resilience, HaifaStim™ boosts yields and enhances crop quality.
Complementing the role of mineral fertilizers in meeting nutritional needs, HaifaStim™ empowers crops to reach their full growth potential, delivering exceptional results for growers.
Recommended HaifaStim™ program for citrus crops
Stage | Application rate | Product |
Pre-flowering to white bud (BBCH 58-59) | 2 l/ha | |
Petal drop to fruit set | 1 l/ha | |
5 l/ha |