Biostimulants for Citrus: Organic Orange, Lemon and Mandarin

## Organic Citrus Cultivation: A Booming SectorOrganic citrus cultivation is establishing itself as one of the most dynamic and promising agricultural sectors. In Spain, approximately 350,000 hectares of citrus are cultivated, with 15% dedicated to organic production. The regions of Valencia, Murcia, and Andalusia are the main producers, significantly contributing to the 4.5 million tonnes of citrus that Spain exports annually to the European Union market.The organic citrus market has seen a remarkable increase, with prices exceeding those of conventional citrus by 35-60%. This rise is partly due to the growing demand for zero-residue products, especially in Nordic markets. Organic mandarins, in particular, have shown an annual growth of 25%, standing out as the fastest-growing segment within the sector.## Agronomic Requirements by Citrus SpeciesEach citrus species has specific agronomic needs to achieve optimal growth and high-quality production. Below is a table with the most important requirements for the main cultivated species:

Species	Optimal Temp	Minimum Lethal Temp	Water Requirement	Optimal pH	Main Varieties
Sweet Orange	24-28°C	-2°C	800-1200 mm/year	5.5-7.0	Valencia Late, Navelina
Lemon	20-25°C	0°C	1000-1300 mm/year	5.5-6.5	Verna, Fino
Mandarin	18-24°C	-1°C	600-900 mm/year	5.5-6.5	Clementina, Nadorcott, Tango
Grapefruit	23-28°C	-1°C	900-1200 mm/year	5.5-6.5	Star Ruby
Bitter Orange	20-25°C	-3°C	700-1000 mm/year	5.5-7.0	Seville

## Major Challenges in Organic Citrus CultivationOrganic citrus cultivation faces several phytosanitary and nutritional challenges. The main diseases include:– **Phytophthora citrophthora**: Causes gummosis and root rot. Biostimulants can help strengthen the plant’s natural defenses. – **Alternaria alternata**: Causes brown spot in mandarins. The application of biostimulants enhances the plant’s natural resistance. – **Colletotrichum gloeosporioides**: Responsible for anthracnose in citrus. Biostimulants can reduce incidence by fortifying plant tissue. – **Mycosphaerella citri**: Causes greasy spot. The use of biostimulants helps reduce the impact of this disease. – **Fruit drop in June and October**: A common problem that can be mitigated with appropriate nutritional strategies. – **Nutritional deficiencies**: Iron chlorosis, zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and boron (B) deficiencies are common. Biostimulants can efficiently correct these deficiencies. – **Mites**: Without synthetic acaricides, control relies on cultural practices and biostimulant applications.## Ecoganic Biostimulant Programme for Citrus Phase by PhaseThe use of certified organic biostimulants from Ecoganic, such as Boost Universal and Balance 7-7-7, helps optimise citrus yield at each stage of development:

Phase	Period	Product	Dosage cc/L	Dosage L/1000L water	Objective
Spring Budding	March-April	Boost Universal	3-5 cc/L	3-5 L	Stimulate budding and vigour
Flowering-Setting 1	April-May	Balance 7-7-7	2-4 cc/L	2-4 L	Improve setting and pollination
June Drop	June	Universal Power OCC	3-6 cc/L	3-6 L	Reduce fruit drop
Fruit Enlargement 1	July-August	Nitrotech 16	3-5 cc/L	3-5 L	Increase fruit size
Fruit Enlargement 2	September	PK-FLOW 20	2-4 cc/L	2-4 L	Optimise fruit development
Colouring	October-November	Calcium 40%	3-5 cc/L	3-5 L	Improve colour and firmness
Harvest	November-December	PhosMax 32	2-3 cc/L	2-3 L	Optimise final quality
Post-Harvest/Pruning	December-January	K-FLOW	3-5 cc/L	3-5 L	Post-harvest recovery
Winter Dormancy	January-February	Fulvex 50S	2-3 cc/L	2-3 L	Reserve maintenance

## Impact on Fruit QualityEcoganic biostimulants not only promote healthy growth but also significantly enhance fruit quality. Observed benefits include:– **Size**: Increase of 1-2 size categories. – **Colour**: Improvement in maturity index, favouring a more attractive colour. – **Juice Percentage**: Increase of 2-4 percentage points. – **Brix/Acidity Ratio**: Better balance of sweetness and acidity. – **Post-Harvest Shelf Life**: Extension of an additional 7-14 days. – **Skin Firmness**: Improved resistance to mechanical damage. – **Spot Reduction**: Lower incidence of visual defects.## Results Table by SpeciesThe results of using Ecoganic biostimulants are evident in the production and quality of different citrus species:

Species	Production (t/ha)	Improvement %	Quality	Profitability
Orange	40-50	+15%	High	High
Lemon	35-45	+20%	High	High
Mandarin	30-40	+25%	Very High	Very High
Grapefruit	30-35	+10%	High	High

## Organic Citrus Cultivation in the MediterraneanThe Mediterranean is a global leader in organic citrus production. Valencia stands out as the number one community for exporting organic mandarins. Murcia is renowned for its Fino lemon production, while Andalusia leads in orange production. Other Mediterranean countries, such as Morocco and Italy, are also important producers, with varieties like the Nour mandarin and Sicilian blood orange, respectively.Certification is key for export, and Mediterranean citrus often meets standards such as GlobalGAP, EU Organic, and GRASP.## Compatibility with Organic Certification and Zero ResidueEcoganic products are designed to comply with the strictest regulations regarding synthetic residues, ensuring a safety period of 0 days and complete traceability, which is crucial for exports to demanding markets like the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia. Additionally, they comply with Regulation (EC) 396/2005 on maximum residue levels (MRLs), ensuring compatibility with organic certification.## Frequently Asked Questions about Citrus BiostimulantsPREGUNTA: ¿Qué son los bioestimulantes y cómo benefician a los cítricos? RESPUESTA: Biostimulants are products that enhance plant growth and health by optimising their physiological processes. In citrus, they help improve disease resistance, increase yield, and enhance fruit quality, including size and juice content.PREGUNTA: ¿Es seguro usar bioestimulantes en cultivos ecológicos? RESPUESTA: Yes, Ecoganic biostimulants are designed to be compatible with organic farming. They comply with European organic production regulations, such as Regulation (EU) 848/2018, ensuring they contain no synthetic residues.PREGUNTA: ¿Puedo usar bioestimulantes Ecoganic en todas las fases del cultivo de cítricos? RESPUESTA: Yes, Ecoganic products are formulated to be effective in all cultivation phases, from budding to post-harvest. Each product has a specific objective that contributes to crop yield and quality.PREGUNTA: ¿Los bioestimulantes afectan el sabor de los cítricos? RESPUESTA: Biostimulants do not alter the flavour of citrus. On the contrary, they can improve organoleptic quality by optimising the Brix/acidity ratio, resulting in a more pleasant and balanced taste.PREGUNTA: ¿Cómo se aseguran los bioestimulantes Ecoganic de no dejar residuos? RESPUESTA: Ecoganic biostimulants are formulated to leave no synthetic residues, complying with Regulation (EC) 396/2005 on MRLs. This ensures that the products are safe for consumption and meet zero-residue market demands.## Conclusion with CTAOrganic citrus cultivation is more than a trend; it is a necessity to meet the growing demand for healthy and sustainable products. Ecoganic biostimulants offer an effective solution to maximise citrus yield and quality while ensuring compliance with the strictest organic regulations. If you’re ready to take your citrus cultivation to the next level, contact us today and discover how Ecoganic can transform your production.