Articles
SOIL-PLANT-FRUIT NUTRITIONAL RELATIONSHIP IN APPLE ORCHARDS IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
Article number
274_3
Pages
33 – 42
Language
Abstract
Soil, leaf and fruit samples were collected from ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’ apple orchards in the main production areas in Santa Catarina State during the growing seasons 1983–84 to 1985–86. The purpose was to study the relationship between soil chemical characteristics, macronutrients content in leaves and fruits, and bitter pit incidence.
Soil and leaves were sampled in January-February, and fruits were sampled 3 weeks before and at harvest.
Fruits collected at harvest were also stored for bitter pit analysis after 6 months in cold storage plus 10 days at room temperature.
Soils and orchards were quite variable, however they were representative of the current field conditions.
The data were analysed by single correlations.
Soil analysis gave positive correlations between the depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm for pH, OM, K, Ca and Mg.
Soil analysis for P was not satisfactory because the known problems with the double acid extractant solution where rock phosphate had been applied.
Relatively good correlations were found between nutrients in the fruit flesh 3 weeks before and at harvest, making it possible to know in advance the nutrients status for storage purpose.
Significant correlations between variables of soil and leaves, soil and fruits, leaves and fruits, and leaves and leaves were rare and not consistent throughout the 3 years and for the two apple cultivars.
Considering that apple growing areas in Santa Catarina State have variations in soils, climate and orchard management, further studies are needed in order to find out how apple growers should manage their orchards to ensure that trees and fruits be nutritionaly balanced.
Only after that it will be possible to establish a fruit analysis program to be used as an aid to predict the storage potential of the fruits.
Soil and leaves were sampled in January-February, and fruits were sampled 3 weeks before and at harvest.
Fruits collected at harvest were also stored for bitter pit analysis after 6 months in cold storage plus 10 days at room temperature.
Soils and orchards were quite variable, however they were representative of the current field conditions.
The data were analysed by single correlations.
Soil analysis gave positive correlations between the depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm for pH, OM, K, Ca and Mg.
Soil analysis for P was not satisfactory because the known problems with the double acid extractant solution where rock phosphate had been applied.
Relatively good correlations were found between nutrients in the fruit flesh 3 weeks before and at harvest, making it possible to know in advance the nutrients status for storage purpose.
Significant correlations between variables of soil and leaves, soil and fruits, leaves and fruits, and leaves and leaves were rare and not consistent throughout the 3 years and for the two apple cultivars.
Considering that apple growing areas in Santa Catarina State have variations in soils, climate and orchard management, further studies are needed in order to find out how apple growers should manage their orchards to ensure that trees and fruits be nutritionaly balanced.
Only after that it will be possible to establish a fruit analysis program to be used as an aid to predict the storage potential of the fruits.
Authors
C. Basso, F.W.W. Wilms, H. Stuker
Keywords
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