Fertigation and Nutrition of Apple Orchards

摘要

As part of the 2014 Carlson Lecture on Fruit Tree Nutrition at the 57th Annual IFTA Conference, in addition to a discussion of historical developments and future trends in fruit tree nutrition, a considerable amount of information was presented on improving the precision of nutrient and water management in modern high density orchards. Increased precision in the application of both water and nutrients can potentially be achieved by simultaneous applications of nutrients and water (fertigation). Fertigation principles and practices have been previously summarized (Bar Josef, 1999; Haynes, 1985) including reviews with specific reference to apple (Neilsen et al, 1999; Neilsen and Neilsen, 2008). Synchronization of nutrient supply with plant demand is the goal of fertigation. Nutrient uptake by apple trees is determined by root interception, soil availability and tree demand. Apple trees are capable of high uptake of many nutrients per unit root length despite their low rooting density, especially whenplanted on dwarfing rootstocks. Nutrient availability at the root surface is primarily determined by nutrient mobility in the soil and good management of nutrients requires that supply be matched to demand in terms of the amount, timing, placement and retention in the root zone.