Fertilization of apple trees: A recommendation for bearing & nonbearing orchards

Find out the recommended average rate of nutrients, and a program for fertigation and foliar feeding

Plant population: 600-700 Trees/ha.
Soil type: light to medium.

Phosphate should be supplied according to leaf analysis.
Divide applications into weekly amounts and apply with at least three hours of irrigation.

Nonbearing orchards

The recommended average rates of nutrients (Kg/ha) for nonbearing trees.

Orchard age (years)	N	K₂O
1	50 - 80	50 - 70
2	80 - 120	70 - 120
3	120 - 150	120 - 145

Bearing orchards

The recommended average rates of nutrients (kg/ha) for bearing trees.

N	K₂O
80 - 125	180 - 240

Phosphate should be supplied according to leaf analysis.

Fertigation

Time of application	Nutrient demand (Kg/ha)			Suggested fertilizers (Kg/ha)
Time of application	N	P₂O₅	K₂O	Multi-K	MAP	AN
Spring to early summer	60 - 90	50 - 100	120 - 170	260 - 370	80 - 160	50 - 70
Post harvest	20 - 35	-	60 - 70	130 - 160	-	10 - 40
Total	80 - 125	50 - 100	180 - 240	390 - 530	80 - 160	60 - 110

1. End fertigation 50 days before harvest.

Divide application into weekly amounts and apply with at least three hours of irrigation.
Fertilization recommendation should be adjusted according to leaf analysis.

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.

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

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
Apples	------------------------ % -------------------------							--------------- 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
1^st year	48	48	36	48	6
2^nd year	42	48	63	36	9
3^rd year	50	60	90	40	12.5

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

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