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) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
N |
P2O5 |
K2O |
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.
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)
