How to get better yield from apple trees in Benelux & Germany

Haifa's fertilization recommendation for providing the apple tree with all the needed nutrients

 

Soil type: Sandy loam- clay.
Plant population: 300 trees/ha.
Expected yield: 40 T/ha.

 

 

 

Recommended rates of nutrients

(The fertilization program should be adapted according to soil analysis.)

Nutrient demand
N	P2O5	K2O
------------------Kg/ha------------------
75 - 100	30 - 50	150 - 200

 

Base-dressing

Nutrient demand			Recommended fertilizers
N	P2O5	K2O	CAN	TSP	KCl or Patentkali
------------------Kg/ha------------------			------------------Kg/ha------------------
50	30	80	200	100	200 - 300

 

Side dressing

Growth stage	Nutrient demand			Recommended Fertilizers
	N	P2O5	K2O	Multi-KMg
	-------------Kg/ha-----------			Kg/ha
6 weeks after flowering	25	0	80	200

 

Foliar feeding program

Stage	Dose rate (Kg/Ha)	No. of applications	Remarks
Just before bud-break	Multi-K: 5-10	1	To improve bud quality & frost resistance
June - July	Multi-K: 5-10	3	For varieties sensitive to bitter-pit
June - August	Multi-K: 5-10	5-6	Other varieties
6 weeks after flowering	MAP/ MKP: 5-10	3-4	Till harvest
Post blossom	Magnisal: 2.5-5	3-4	Till harvest
After harvest	MAP : 5-10	2	To build up reserves

General remarks: 
1. Final rate and number of applications should be determined according to leaf analysis.
2. MAP or MKP should be selected according to N level in leaf analysis.
3. Do not spray fertilizers 2-3 weeks after flowering to avoid scorching.

 

Recommended rates of major nutrients (% of dry weight)

N	P	K	Mg	Mn
1.4-2.0	0.12	1.2-1.3	0.30-0.35	30-50

A general guideline for splitting K application

Growth stage	Share of K2O at stage (%)	Recommended rate (kg/ha of K2O)
Leaf emergence	15	23
Flowering	20	30
Fruit-set	25	37
Fruit growth	25	37
Fruit maturation	15	23
Total	100	150

Foliar feeding

Fall is an excellent season to prepare the tree to next season requirements in N, K and Fe. As long as foliage is green and active it will readily absorb these nutrients applied by foliar sprays.

Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product

N	P	K	Ca	Mg	S
-------------------------------------- Kg/ton ------------------------------------------
0.6	0.7	1.3		0.9

Source: Kinoch: VOLHOUBARE LANDBOU, RSA. Processed by Frans Lourens,Haifa, RSA May, 1999.

Sufficient nutrient range of apples*

Element	Nutrient range (%)	Element	Nutrient range (ppm)
N	1.9-2.4	Mn	31-150
P	0.17-0.28	Fe	35-150
K	1.2-1.8	B	28-50
Ca	1.3-1.7	Cu	5-10
Mg	0.24-0.36	Mo	0.5-1.5
		Zn	20-50

* Leaf samples taken between July 15 and August 15 from Mid-shoot leaves on current season’s growth in accordance with instruction provided with the plant analysis.
Source:  Fertilizing Fruit Crops – Ohio Cooperative Extension Service, The Ohio state University p. 11.

Apples – Mineral analysis values

	Mature leaves
Nutrient	Average value	Critical level
	(%)
N	2.30	1.70
S	0.19	0.08
P	0.30	0.18
K	2.00	1.20
Mg	0.40	0.25
Ca	2.00	1.30
Na	0.02
	(ppm)
Fe	90	15
Al	40
Mn	140	35
B	60	35
Cu	20	5
Zn	60	20
Mo	0.8	0.05

Plant analysis guide

Nutrient sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)

Apples	N	S	P	K	Mg	Ca	Na	B	Zn	Mn	Fe	Cu	Al	Mo
	------------------------ % -------------------------							--------------- p.p.m ---------------
From	1.75	0.15	0.15	1.20	0.20	1.00	0.01	25	15	30	100	6
To	2.75	0.30	0.40	2.00	0.35	1.60	0.15	50	60	180	200	25

Plant tissue sampling procedures:

Stage of growth	Plant part
Five to eight weeks after full bloom	4 to 8 leaves from spurs or near base of current season’s growth

Base dressing recommendations (kg/hectare)

Year	N	P2O5	K2O	CaO	MgO
1st year	48	48	36	48	6
2nd year	42	48	63	36	9
3rd year	50	60	90	40	12.5

Source: recommendations of Agro-Nutrientes Especiales (ANE). (February,2000)

 

 

Need more information about how to grow apple tree? You can always return to the apple tree fertilizer & tomato crop guide table of contents