Florida stands as a significant player in the global citrus industry, boasting economic impacts of approximately 8.91 billion US dollars. Nevertheless, the citrus production in the state has been steadily decreasing since the onset of citrus greening (Huanglongbing, HLB) disease in 2005. Despite ongoing efforts, experts have yet to identify a potential cure for HLB, making the persistence of this disease a significant challenge for citrus production in Florida. In the wake of unavailability of a potential cure, different management strategies have been proposed aiming to minimize the HLB-induced adverse impacts on citrus plant growth and productivity and ensure the survival of citrus industry in Florida. In this context, effective nutrient management has emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of trees affected by HLB and sustaining a profitable yield. Fine root loss stands out as a primary concern in the management of HLB in citrus, as it impedes the plant's ability to uptake water and nutrients, resulting in nutritional imbalances. Effective nutrient management has the potential to effectively counterbalance the effects of fine root losses, thereby serving as a crucial factor in mitigating the adverse impacts of HLB on citrus trees. Therefore, this study has been initiated with the aim to evaluate the potential benefits of nutrient management on HLB affected mature Valencia sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] trees. We seek to investigate the effects of different levels of nitrogen (N) i.e., 112, 168, 224, 280, 336 kg/ha on nutrient uptake, plant growth, fruit yield, juice quality, and overall performance of HLB-affected trees. In addition, nutrient mobilization in the soil in response to different levels of N has also been given critical consideration in order to evaluate the leaching potential of different nutrients and formulate mitigation strategies.
