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Fertilization Programs for Apple Orchards

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Fertilization Programs for Apple Orchards IC EX O S M Fertilization Programs Cooperative Extension Service T A W T E College of Agriculture and E N U Home Economics N Y for Apple Orchards T I I V E R S Guide H-319 Esteban A. Herrera, Extension Horticulturist This publication is scheduled to be updated and reissued 6/06. Many factors, including climate, soil, irrigation, and highly colored; leaves will be small and pale varieties, pruning, insects, and tree nutrition influence green, dropping early. Low or older leaves turn light the growth and production of fruit trees. Some of green first; individual limbs may die and entire trees these factors can be controlled by growers; others are stunted. cannot. Tree nutrition is probably the most important Excess nitrogen delays fruit maturity and nega- factor for a successful orchard operation, and it can be tively affects red color on apples. It also delays flow- controlled through a proper fertilization program. ering and can promote late-season vegetative growth, Sixteen mineral elements are essential for plant increasing chances of freeze injury, especially in growth. Three (oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon) are young trees. Excessive tree vigor resulting from too obtained by the tree from water and air. The thirteen much N can be partially compensated for by late sum- remaining elements are divided into two groups: mer pruning. This has two main effects: it improves fruit color by improving light distribution and tends to 1. Major essential elements: nitrogen (N), limit root growth. phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), mag- Recommendations for time of nitrogen application nesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). to apple orchards are often confusing and vary consid- erably among apple-growing regions in the country. 2. Minor (trace) elements: iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), man- However, a nitrogen fertilization program can be bet- ganese (Mn), copper (Cu), boron (B), ter understood if it is based on the root uptake period, molybdenum (Mo), and chloride (Cl). nitrogen storage pattern in trees, and on time of the season or tree physiological stage. Major elements are needed in much larger quanti- The entire tree root system is capable of nutrient ties than minor ones; all are found in the soil. How- absorption; however, the absorption rate is greatest in ever, it is not enough for these elements to be present new root growth (root tips), which usually are white in the soil—they must also be in a form available to in color. The period of greatest nutrient uptake coin- trees so that trees can take them up and use them. cides with the period of maximum root growth. De- Among other factors, soil pH (acidity or alkalinity) pending on the year, this would be from about March and balance between elements will affect the avail- through October in New Mexico, but this period al- ability of nutrient elements in the soil. ways will be shorter in northern New Mexico than in Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc the southern area. Nitrate uptake increases with shoot appear to be the nutrients mainly needed in New elongation and remains high until leaf fall; it then Mexico apple orchards. decreases sharply from leaf fall to the initiation of root growth. Annual nitrogen applications are necessary to NITROGEN (N) maintain sufficient nitrogen reserves in the tree. About 80% of the annual nitrogen use is from tree re- Nitrogen is the nutrient most used in fruit trees and serves, while only 20% is from the immediate nitro- is usually the first element to be considered in an or- gen application. The later nitrogen is applied during chard fertilization program, as shoot growth depends the growing season, the less it is used the year of ap- highly on nitrogen content. Nitrogen fertilizer rates plication, and the greater its contribution the next for young trees are based on tree age and growth rate year. Therefore, nitrogen applied late in the year is of shoots; fertilization of mature, heavy-bearing trees stored, mainly in the root system, for use the follow- may be based in part on terminal growth. Nitrogen ing year. Nitrogen used during bloom is drawn from deficiencies can reduce fruiting and make fruit small nitrogen the tree has stored from the previous year’s To find more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agriculture and Home Economics on the World Wide Web at www.cahe.nmsu.edu application. Shoot growth in late spring or early sum- nitrogen rates should be adjusted accordingly. A gen- mer then becomes dependent on external nitrogen eral recommendation for apple trees is listed in table 1. supply. In some cases, all stored nitrogen is exhausted Ammonium sulfate is the nitrogen formulation by the end of June. In nitrogen-deficient orchards, ni- most recommended for orchards in New Mexico be- trogen from fertilizers applied during the current sea- cause it acidifies the soil somewhat. Although tempo- son can be absorbed immediately. rary, this action can make available some minor ele- Based on these findings, half the recommended ni- ments for use by apple trees. trogen should be applied during the post-harvest pe- Any formulation of nitrogen fertilizer is converted riod, to be stored and used early in the following sea- to ammonium, then to nitrate, before it is absorbed by son. The other half should be applied after bloom. the tree’s root system. Nitrates are water soluble and (Coarse textured (sandy) soils are an exception to this can be easily leached out in irrigation water. Gener- recommendation because nitrogen fertilizer applied in ally, tree utilization of surface broadcast nitrogen fer- the fall is subject to leaching.) Foliar application of tilizer is low; thus, good fertilization practices are nitrogen during the season also helps trees. Fall season needed to prevent nitrogen losses through leaching. applications will be absorbed by roots while trees have The best way to apply nitrogen and other fertilizers is foliage, and whenever temperatures are above 45°. through drip irrigation, where nutrients are carried Nitrogen rates should be adjusted so young, non- close to the root system and recommended rates can bearing trees grow 24–36 in. per year. The recom- be evenly distributed throughout the season. Another mended rate is 1/20 lb of pure nitrogen per year of age good way to incorporate nitrogen into the soil is by of tree. To calculate the amount of a given nitrogen injecting liquid fertilizers into the soil; several appli- fertilizer needed, use the following equation: cations are needed during the year to take full advan- tage of this system. Surface broadcast application of Age of tree (years) × 5 = lb fertilizer / tree nitrogen and other nutrients, with subsequent soil in- % of N fertilizer corporation by discing, will always have some losses, first through volatilization, then through leaching. Example: Fertilizing 30-year-old trees with Splitting fertilization rates throughout the year may ammonium sulfate (AS) which has 21% N — prevent most leaching losses, but may not be practical. 30 × 5 = 7.1 lb AS / tree 21 POTASSIUM (K) Other formulas recommend 1/5 lb N (or 1 lb of Potassium deficiency is not common in New ammonium sulfate) per inch of trunk diameter. Mexico or in the southwestern states, mainly because Nitrogen fertilization rates for mature, heavy-bear- the clay contained in soils releases enough potassium ing trees fluctuate from 150 to 200 lb of nitrogen per for tree use. In many cases, apple trees’ perennial root acre, or 750–1,000 lb of ammonium sulfate per acre. system permits absorption of enough nutrients from Annual shoot (terminal) growth should be around 6- soil that would be deficient for annual or seed crops. 10 in. per year. If growth patterns are higher or lower, Apple trees growing in sandy soils, however, usually require potassium applications. Leaf analysis will help determine if potassium fertilizer applications are Table 1. Amount of N recommended for apple trees. needed. Potassium sulfate (44% K ) is preferred over Age (years) N per tree or per acre potassium chloride (muriate of potash) to avoid chlo- 1 None* rine toxicity that can occur in low-rainfall areas. Mild potassium deficiency is similar to nitrogen deficiency, 2 1/4 lb/tree if growth is poor causing yellowish-green leaves. A severe deficiency will cause foliage necrosis, especially with scorched 3–5 1/4–1/3 lb/tree leaf margins, similar to soil salt build-up symptoms. Apply 150–200 lb of potassium per acre every other 6–7 1/2 lb/tree year if a deficiency occurs. Although no specific research has been conducted, over 7 150–200 lb/acre it is believed potassium and phosphorus fertilizers can * When leaves have appeared and young trees are growing vigorously, be soil-incorporated before planting at a rate of about broadcast monthly applications of N at the rate of 0.05 lb N per tree 200 lb per acre. These nutrients will be spread (0.25 lb ammonium sulfate). Guide H-319 • Page 2 throughout the soil and be available for root uptake Foliar sprays are recommended to correct this for several years. Higher amounts are needed when a problem. Chelated forms of iron and zinc have been cover crop or sod is present. successful. Although such sprays are expensive, they are less likely to cause leaf burning. Zinc and iron sul- fate also work when combined with foliarly formu- PHOSPHORUS (P) lated urea (uran 42%). Sometimes it is necessary to include a water buffer in the solution, which neutral- Fruit trees, including apples, have not responded to izes the water and helps the chemical be absorbed bet- phosphorus fertilization, regardless of soil or leaf ter by foliage.
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