ISHS Acta Horticulturae 383: Mineral Nutrition of Deciduous Fruit Plants
NP FERTIGATION AND IRRIGATION AFFECT POTASSIUM NUTRITION OF NEWLY PLANTED APPLE TREES |
| Authors: | G.H. Neilsen, P. Parchomchuk, R. Berard |
| Keywords: | McIntosh, Gala, Malus domestica Borkh, drip microjet, dwarfing rootstock |
| Abstract:
Potassium nutrition was monitored in three different high density apple plots which had been fertigated with N and P. Drip fertigation of 'Summerland McIntosh'(Malus domestica Borkh) trees on M.9 rootstock with N and P at different schedules ranging from a single, early season dose to 12 equal, weekly doses resulted in the gradual development of K-deficiency, regardless of application schedule. Potassium fertilization of a portion of the block in the fourth year, confirmed that K was limiting growth. 'Gala' apples on M.26 rootstock were subjected to a range of experimental treatments, involving NP-fertigation via all combinations of two methods of applying water (drip emitter or microjet sprinkler) and three irrigation frequencies. Lower leaf K was associated with drip and less frequent irrigation. Low leaf K was observed by third year, especially for infrequently irrigated 'McIntosh' on M.26, in a trial comparing the effects of a range of irrigation frequencies on different rootstocks during NP-fertigation. The overall evidence from these experiments indicates the value of fertigating NPK and the need to reconsider nutrition strategies as planting systems evolve from low density orchards with broadcast fertilizer application to high density fertigated ones. | |
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