MONITORING THE NUTRIENT STATUS OF INTENSIVE APPLE ORCHARDS DURING THE GROWING SEASON

Intensive apple orchards in Australia are heavily fertilised in the first two years after planting, with the aim of developing a tree size and structure that is capable of producing high yields and quality in the third year and beyond.
Orchards have been developed at densities of approximately 3000 trees/ha and yields in the third year have been up to 50-60 t/ha.
Plant sap analysis and soil solution analysis are used to monitor the nutrient status of the orchards and the results help orchardists and agronomists to assess their fertiliser strategies.
The rapid turnaround times of the sap and solution samples in the laboratory allow for quick responses in adjusting, or adding to, the fertiliser program.
Follow-up samples can help to assess the impact of specific inputs. Plant sap analysis and soil solution analysis within the growing season provide significant advantages in comparison to standard dry matter plant samples and soil analysis.
The use of plant sap analysis and soil solution analysis is helping apple orchardists and agronomists to develop best management practices in regard to fertiliser use, including the choices of fertiliser materials, the rates, the timings and the methods of applications.

VII International Symposium on Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Crops

B. Scott

sap, soil, fertiliser

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.984.33