Elemental questions

摘要

Apple growers know calcium helps avoid bitter pit. Anyone with Honeycrisp can tell you that. And many more know that too much potassium prevents the tree from taking up calcium. But that doesn't mean you can just skimp on potassium, either. It's a keynutrient the plant relies on for photosynthesis, weathering stress and producing fruit."We don't want to think that growers are too afraid of the bitter pit situation and then they stop applying potassium," said Bernardita Sallato, a Washington State University tree fruit extension specialist with a background in soil science.