Impact of urea nutrition on soil and plant chemical variables and development of Mexican lime

The yield of Mexican lime in Michoacan, Mexico, is notably variable, suggesting possible nutritional issues.Nitrogen (N) fertilization is key to reaching the crop's potential; however, various fertilizer sources are used without considering their suitability for local soils, leading to variable effectiveness.Moreover, different fertilization strategies interfere, as they often do not reflect in plant quality.The objective was to determine the effect of urea doses (46% N) and its collateral impact on soil/plant chemical variables.A study was conducted on Mexican lime, where urea doses (41.66, 83.33, 125, and 0 g per plant in 12 applications every 15 days) were evaluated, to determine their effects on different edaphic and vegetative variables.Soil pH, electrical conductivity (E.C.), and N and potassium (K) levels were analyzed, as well as leaf N and K levels, bud number and length, and yield.Results showed statistical differences in soil pH, E. C., N, and K levels, as well as in leaf N and K levels.The set of treatments with urea was clearly distinguished from the control.Plant development characteristics were also statistically different, due to urea application.The highest observed yield was 112.5 kg per plant, corresponding to the third treatment, which received 125 g of urea per plant.