Articles
SOIL AMELIORATION AND FERTILISATION FOR APPLE PRODUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Article number
232_23
Pages
167 – 176
Language
Abstract
The development of fruit trees during the first few years after planting is crucial in determining its eventual production potential.
It is therefore necessary to eliminate all limiting soil factors before planting the trees.
Correcting some limiting factors in the subsoil is virtually impossible after planting.
Elimination of production limiting factors require that they can be diagnosed reliably, their optimum levels are known and that they can be manipulated.
Soil preparation should therefore always be preceded by thorough soil investigation, both visual(physical) and analytical.
In the fertilisation of young trees the aim is to fill the space allocated to a tree as soon as possible.
Thereafter, fertilisation is based on removal of nutrients by the crop, but levels (and ratios) are adjusted according to foliar and soil analysis.
An integrated approach to fertilisation is followed in order to ensure optimum production and quality.
It is therefore necessary to eliminate all limiting soil factors before planting the trees.
Correcting some limiting factors in the subsoil is virtually impossible after planting.
Elimination of production limiting factors require that they can be diagnosed reliably, their optimum levels are known and that they can be manipulated.
Soil preparation should therefore always be preceded by thorough soil investigation, both visual(physical) and analytical.
In the fertilisation of young trees the aim is to fill the space allocated to a tree as soon as possible.
Thereafter, fertilisation is based on removal of nutrients by the crop, but levels (and ratios) are adjusted according to foliar and soil analysis.
An integrated approach to fertilisation is followed in order to ensure optimum production and quality.
Authors
W.A.G. Kotzé, M. du Preez
Keywords
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