Fruit thinning of tahiti lime by ethephon application is suggested to increase the off-season production. However, ethephon can enhance leaf abscission and deplete the plant nutritional resources. To evaluate ethephon effect on nutrient concentration in tahiti lime leaves the present work was carried out. Plants were sprayed with ethephon solution to promote fruits thinning in differents ocasions receiving, the following treatments: 1) One ethephon application at 400 mg L-1 in September; 2) One ethephon application at 500 mg L-1 in December; 3) Two ethephon applications, the first at 400 mg L-1 in september and the second at 500 mg L-1 in December; and 4) Control. The plants that received one ethephon application at 500 mg L-1 and those that received two ethephon aplicattions, the first at 400 mg L-1 in september and the second at 500 mg L-1 in December presented reduction in the Ca, Mg, B and Mn concentrations and an increase in those of P, K and Cu. The reduction in Mn leaf concentrations was observed alongside Mn deficiency symptoms.
citros; off-season yield; ethylene; fruit thinning
