Nitrogen availability to citrus seedlings from urea and from mineralization of citrus leaf or compost

A pot experiment was conducted using a Candler fine sand (hyperthermic, uncoated, Typic Quartzipsamments) amended with either citrus leaves or compost, to measure the nitrogen (N) mineralization and its availability to two citrus rootstock seedlings. A rapid increase in NH4‐N concentration was evident in the soil amended with citrus leaves as compared to compost during the initial 14 to 20 d. Subsequently, the concentration of NH4‐N decreased in the citrus leaves amended soil. The extractable NO3‐N concentration was greater in the soil amended with citrus leaves as compared to compost, throughout the 270 d duration of the study. The N concentrations and N uptake by Cleopatra mandarin (CM) and Swingle citrumelo (SC) seedlings grown in citrus leaf amended soil were very similar to those in urea amended soil. Therefore, mineralization of N from dry ground citrus leaves was quite rapid. The N concentrations in both rootstock seedlings were much lower in the compost amended and unamended soils as compared to those in either citrus leaves or urea amended soils. Rapid mineralization of N from cirrus leaves added to sandy soil, resulting in an increased availability of N, suggested that the contribution of N from shed leaf mineralization must be considered while developing N rate recommendations for improving N use efficiency.