Julia Morales is a researcher at the Center for Sustainable Agriculture Development of the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA) in Valencia, Spain. She specializes in both pre- and postharvest management of Mediterranean woody crops. Currently, alongside her team, her work focuses on optimizing fertilization strategies for Mediterranean crops, particularly citrus and persimmon. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding not only the optimal nutrient concentrations, but also the balance between essential macro- and micronutrients, which is crucial for achieving healthy crop development and optimal yields. In the case of the ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon, foliar analysis has been used to establish the optimal balance between nutrient pairs observed in plots with high yields and fruits of superior physicochemical and organoleptic quality. Based on these findings, advanced diagnostic tools have been developed, including the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) equations. These equations enable a plant’s nutritional status to be comprehensively evaluated. Additionally, nutrient optimal ranges (NOR) have been defined to indicate ideal nutrient levels at various stages of vegetative development: post-flowering, during fruit growth, at the color-change phase, and at harvest. The practical applications of this knowledge are significant for the agricultural sector. By utilizing these tools, farmers can adjust fertilization strategies more accurately, relying on data obtained through foliar analyses of their fields. This approach not only improves productivity, but also allows the cultivation of higher-quality fruits, ensuring that nutrient management is tailored to the specific requirements of the crop at different phenological stages. Furthermore, by preventing the overuse of fertilizers, this approach helps preserve ecosystems and supports the transition to more environmentally responsible agricultural systems.
Julia Morales won the ISHS Young Minds Award for the best poster presentation at the VIII International Symposium on Persimmon in China in October 2024.
Julia Morales, Center for Sustainable Agriculture Development, Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA), Carretera CV-315, Km 10,7, 46113 Moncada Valencia, Spain, e-mail: morales_jul@gva.es
The article is available in Chronica Horticulturae