| Abstract: | Fifteen citrus varieties (four varieties of limes/lemons, three varieties of mandarins, and eight varieties of sweet oranges) were tested in a row-to-row multireplicate field experiment on Typic Rhodustalf. Pre-bearing growth behavior of different citrus varieties showed a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) with respect to canopy volume (1.221 m3 with Bearss lemon and 0.220 m3 with Cara Cara Navel) governed by changes in different rhizospheric properties (soil-available nutrients, soil microbial population, and soil microbial biomass nutrients). Response in canopy volume was more governed by soil microbial biomass nutrients [carbon (Cmic), nitrogen (Nmic), and phosphorus (Pmic)] followed soil microbial population and soil available nutrients in decreasing order. Indices developed through diagnosis and recommendation integrated system further helped in partitioning interrhizosphere nutrient deficiencies. These studies suggested that (i) biological properties of rhizosphere soils of limes and lemons were of much superior quality and (ii) rhizospheric biological properties are transformed according to plant species and variety. |
