Effect of foliar and soil application of urea on vegetative growth and budding success of citrus nursery

The urea was applied at monthly interval from March to December to Jatti Khatti (Citrus jambhiri Lush) seedlings at the rate of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% as foliar sprays and 217, 434 and 651 kg/ha as soil application. The urea at the rate of 1.5% foliar spray resulted in maximum increase in stem diameter, leaf number, leaf length with maximum plants attaining earlier buddable stage, highest budding success and maximum bud sprouting length. However, plants attained maximum height with 651 kg/ha soil application and maximum root length was observed in 434 kg uredha soil application. The results clearly indicated that for raising citrus nursery, 1.5% urea foliar spray at monthly interval, i.e. from March to December was the best.