Abstract
Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of three planting arrangements: (1) paired rows 0.3 m apart with alternate planting, (2) 0.40 × 0.60 m rectangular and (3) 0.60 × 0.60 m square arrangements on the growth and leaf nutrient contents of Cleopatra mandarin, sour orange and swinglea seedlings. Generally, the overall seedling performance was better with arrangement (1) than with (2) and (3). Specifically, the growth and physiological performance of Cleopatra mandarin was better with arrangement (2) than with (1) and (3). The performances of sour orange and swinglea were both better with arrangement (1) than with the other two arrangements. Plant spacing and arrangement did not significantly influence the N, P, K. Ca and Mg contents of the seedlings, but were highest in arrangement (1). However, the seedlings micronutrient contents were significantly influenced by the arrangements.
