NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS OF GROWING SITE AND SHORTAGE OR EXCESS OF SOIL LIME IN PEACH AND SOUR CHERRY ORCHARDS

The physical characteristics of an orchard site are one of the most important environmental factors in fruit growing.
Within the characteristics of the growing site, the soil parameters (soil structure, water management, organic- and mineral colloids, chemical reaction, nutrient and lime content) and relative height on a slope (for minimizing radiation frosts) are important.
The present experiment indicated that a favourable nutrient supply (potassium level, N/K ratio) decreases spring frost damage in sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), but the position on the fruit-growing site (uphill vs downhill) may have a 4-5-fold greater significance than the nutrient effect.
A second experiment presented indicated that potassium fertilization increased tolerance to soil lime in peach (Prunus persica). Peach yields responded positively to addition of potassium and negatively to soil lime content.
The lime-caused stress effect can be partially compensated by higher potassium fertilisation.
Using lime tolerant rootstocks may be one good solution against iron chlorosis, and it can increase the productivity of peach orchards.

VIII International Symposium on Canopy, Rootstocks and Environmental Physiology in Orchard Systems

E. Szűcs

potassium supply, environmental and farming factors

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2007.732.96