Cereals are crops of the Poaceae or Gramineae family, cultivated over large areas for their high carbohydrate content and agro-industrial use. Common examples are wheat, barley, and corn. Their adaptability to diverse soils and climates has facilitated their cultivation in both The genus Citrus, commonly known as citrus, includes evergreen shrubs or trees between 5 and 15 meters tall, belonging to the Rutaceae family. Their fruits, such as lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, and mandarin, are characterized by their high content of vitamin C and citric acid, which gives them their acidic flavor. Native to tropical and subtropical Asia, there are three main species and numerous cultivated hybrids, the varieties of which depend on the region where they are grown. Citrus fruits are an important source of vitamins (such as C, folic acid, and A), minerals (especially potassium), and antioxidants.
Fertilization can be done foliarly, applying the fertilizer to the leaves, or through the soil, always avoiding direct contact with the trunk. Their cultivation requires ideal temperatures between 25 and 30°C. Fertilization is done every six weeks in spring and summer, and every ten weeks in winter, being most necessary during flowering and fruit development.
Inadequate fertilization can cause deficiencies, such as calcium deficiency, which reduces plant growth and vigor, or manganese deficiency, which produces small fruits with thin skin and low sugar content. Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied in installments, especially in permeable soils, avoiding their use in winter and excessive irrigation. Annual foliar analysis is also recommended. Regarding phosphorus fertilizers, their dosage should be adjusted according to the needs of the plant and the soil's absorption capacity to ensure optimal development.
