scholarly journals Effectiveness of Fall versus Spring Soil Fertilization of Field-grown Peach Trees

2001 ◽  
Vol 126 (5) ◽  
pp. 644-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J.A. Niederholzer ◽  
T.M. DeJong ◽  
J.-L. Saenz ◽  
T.T. Muraoka ◽  
S.A. Weinbaum

Marginally nitrogen (N)-deficient, field-grown peach trees [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Peach Group) 'O' Henry'] were used to evaluate seasonal patterns of tree N uptake, vegetative growth, and yield following fall or spring fertilization. Sequential tree excavations and determinations of tree biomass and N contents in Feb. and Aug. allowed estimation of N uptake by fall-fertilized trees between September 1993 and mid-February 1994. Total N uptake (by difference) by spring- fertilized trees as well as additional N uptake by fall-fertilized trees over the spring.summer period was also determined. In fall-fertilized trees, only 24% of tree N accumulation between September 1993 and August 1994 occurred during the fall/dormancy period. Spring- and fall-fertilized trees exhibited comparable vegetative growth, fruit size, and yield despite lower dormant tree N contents and tissue N concentrations in the spring-fertilized trees. Fifty percent of tree leaf N content was available for resorption from leaves for storage in woody tree parts. This amount (N at ~30.kghhhhhhha-1) was calculated to represent more than 80% of the N storage capacity in perennial tree parts of fertilized peach trees. Our data suggest that leaf N resorption, even without fall soil N application, can provide sufficient N from storage to initiate normal growth until plant-available soil N is accessed in spring.

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 492g-492
Author(s):  
Oswaldo A. Rubio ◽  
Patrick H. Brown ◽  
Steven A. Weinbaum

Leaf N concentrations (% dry wt) appear relatively insensitive to high levels of applied fertilizer N (Weinbaum et al, HortTechnology 1992). This insensitivity may be attributable to growth dilation, lack of additional tree N uptake, a finite capacity of leaves to accumulate additional N or our inhability to resolve a limited increment. Our objective was to asses the relative accumulation of mobile forms of N (NO3, NH4 and amino acids) relative to a total N over a range of fertilizer N application rates in 3 year old, field-grown “Fantasia” nectarine trees. Between 0 and 136 Kg N/Ha/Yr we observed a linear relationship between N supply and all N fractions. Above 136 Kg N/Ha/Yr leaf concentrations of amino acids and total N remined constant, but NO3 and NH4 accumulation continued. These results suggest that leaf concentration of NO3 and NH4 are more sensitive indicators of soil N availability and tree N uptake than was total leaf N concentration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letícia Vanni Ferreira ◽  
Luciano Picolotto ◽  
Ivan dos Santos Pereira ◽  
Juliano Dutra Schmitz ◽  
Luis Eduardo Corrêa Antunes

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the mineral composition of leaves, initial growth, and yield of peach (Prunus persica) tree advanced selections grown at a high-planting density. The experiment was carried out between 2012 and 2015 in a randomized complete block design, with a combination of advanced selections of the 'Cascata 1513' and 'Cascata 1067' peach trees and of N fertilization doses (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha-1 N). Green weight after pruning, diameter, and increase of trunk diameter, canopy volume, plant height, branch length, number of buds per centimeter of shoot, chlorophyll index, leaf area, rust incidence, average production, number of fruit, and mass of fruit were evaluated. Genotype affects the vegetative growth and productive performance of peach trees. The application of N to dense peach orchards promotes a greater vegetative growth of the plants and increases the content of the nutrient in leaves. The initial production is affected by N fertilization. The recommendation of N fertilization made to date is insufficient for peach trees at high-density management systems of production.


Oecologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Mikola ◽  
Katariina Koikkalainen ◽  
Mira Rasehorn ◽  
Tarja Silfver ◽  
Ulla Paaso ◽  
...  

AbstractFast-growing and slow-growing plant species are suggested to show integrated economics spectrums and the tradeoffs of fast growth are predicted to emerge as susceptibility to herbivory and resource competition. We tested if these predictions also hold for fast-growing and slow-growing genotypes within a silver birch, Betula pendula population. We exposed cloned saplings of 17 genotypes with slow, medium or fast height growth to reduced insect herbivory, using an insecticide, and to increasing resource competition, using naturally varying field plot grass cover. We measured shoot and root growth, ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal production using ergosterol analysis and soil N transfer to leaves using 15N-labelled pulse of NH4+. We found that fast-growing genotypes grew on average 78% faster, produced 56% and 16% more leaf mass and ergosterol, and showed 78% higher leaf N uptake than slow-growing genotypes. The insecticide decreased leaf damage by 83% and increased shoot growth, leaf growth and leaf N uptake by 38%, 52% and 76%, without differences between the responses of fast-growing and slow-growing genotypes, whereas root mass decreased with increasing grass cover. Shoot and leaf growth of fast-growing genotypes decreased and EM fungal production of slow-growing genotypes increased with increasing grass cover. Our results suggest that fast growth is genotypically associated with higher allocation to EM fungi, better soil N capture and greater leaf production, and that the tradeoff of fast growth is sensitivity to competition, but not to insect herbivory. EM fungi may have a dual role: to support growth of fast-growing genotypes under low grass competition and to maintain growth of slow-growing genotypes under intensifying competition.


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 847-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Quamme ◽  
R. T. Brownlee

Early performance (6–8 yr) of Macspur McIntosh, Golden Delicious, and Spartan apple (Malus domestica Borkh.); Fairhaven peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.]; Montmorency sour cherry (P. cerasus L.); and Lambert sweet cherry (P. avium L.) trees, tissue cultured (TC) on their own roots, was compared with that of the same cultivars budded on commercially used rootstocks. TC trees of all apple cultivars were similar in size to trees budded on Antonovka seedling or M.4 and exceeded the size of trees budded on M.26. They were delayed in flowering and in cropping compared with trees budded on M.26 and M.4. No difference in titratable acidity, soluble solids, flesh firmness, weight, flavor, and color between fruit from TC trees and from trees on M.4 and Antonovka seedlings was detected in 1 yr of measurement. However, fruit from TC Golden Delicious was more russeted and fruit from TC Spartan had more soluble solids. The difference in fruit appearance between TC and budded trees may result from a root-stock effect or a difference in budwood source, because Spartan fruit from trees on M.4 was more russeted than Spartan fruit from TC trees, but was not different from Spartan fruit from trees on Antonovka seedling. Trees of Macspur McIntosh on TC M.26 and on stool-layered M.26 were similar in size and yield efficiency. TC Fairhaven was larger in size than Fairhaven on Siberian C seedling, but was less yield efficient. No difference in fruit size, flesh firmness, or color was detected between fruit harvested from peach trees on the different roots. Montmorency and Lambert TC and on F12/1 were similar in tree size, respectively, but Montmorency and Lambert TC were more yield efficient than on F12/1. Fruit of TC Lambert was lighter in color and had higher titratable acidity than that of Lambert on F12/1, perhaps a result of earlier fruit maturity. Key words: Apple, peach, sweet cherry, sour cherry, self-rooted, rootstocks


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Cline ◽  
C. G. Embree ◽  
J. Hebb ◽  
D. S. Nichols

Vegetative growth control of apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is necessary to maintain a balance between growth and cropping. Pruning is a labour-intensive management practice to achieve this and intrinsically stimulates new growth. Prohexadione-calcium (PC) is a plant bio-regulator that effectively regulat es the shoot extension growth of apples and other tree fruits. Previous research has demonstrated that its efficacy can vary based on the use of spray surfactants and adjuvants. This study investigated the efficacy of two rates of Apogee™, the commercial form of PC, used in combination with the spray surfactants Sylgard 309 and LI 700, on extension shoot growth and yield parameters. Experiments were conducted in Ontario on Empire and Nova Scotia on Royal Court™ Cortland apples. Treatments of 0, 75 or 125 mg L-1 PC, with and without either 0.5% (vol/vol.) LI 700 surfactant or 0.05% (vol/vol) Sylgard 309 surfactant were applied to Empire trees, and 75 or 125 mg L-1 PC, with or without 0.5% (vol/vol) LI 700, were applied to Royal Court™ trees. An untreated control treatment was also included for comparison purposes. A total of two sprays were applied to the Empire trees and a total of three sprays were applied to the Royal Court™ trees. PC significantly decreased the vegetative growth of Empire and Royal Court™ trees by approximately 18 to 44%, respectively, and the efficacy of PC was enhanced when combined with either Sylgard 309 or LI 700 surfactant. No additional benefit in vegetative growth control was gained when using Apogee™ at rates of 125 mg L-1 PC, relative to 75 mg L-1 PC. The rate of Apogee™ did not influence the number of fruit or yield per tree or mean fruit size of either cultivar. For Empire, LI 700 and Sylgard 309 significantly reduced the number of fruit per tree, resulting in lower yields and crop densities. In addition, higher mean fruit weights, and a greater distribution of fruit in the larger size categories were observed for LI 700. Fruit from Royal Court trees treated with the highest rate of Apogee™ had higher crop densities, poorer coloured fruit, and a higher percentage of fruit less than 60 mm in diameter. These data provide support for the use of alternative surfactants with Apogee™ other than those listed on the US and Canadian product labels. Key words: Apogee™, Empire, Cortland, Regalis, calcium 3-oxido-5-oxo-4-propionylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylate, surfactant


2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (No. 2) ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
Tsipouridis CG ◽  
Simonis AD ◽  
S. Bladenopoulos ◽  
Issakidis AM ◽  
Stylianidis DC

Leaf samples from 12 peach cultivars (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch.) (Early Crest, May Crest, Flavor Crest,Sun Crest, Fayette, Katherina, Loadel, Andross, Everts, May Grand, Firebrite and Fairlane) grafted on four peach root-stocks were analyzed for their nutrient content. The analysis of variance for leaf nutrient concentrations indicated very significant effects and interactions among cultivars and rootstocks. The rootstock effect on the absorption of nutrient elements was higher for Ca, K, P, Mg, N, and lower for Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and B. Generally cultivars grafted on GF 677 had higher N, K, Fe, Cu and lower Zn, Mn, and B, while leaves from cultivars grafted on wild seedlings were found to contain higher Mg and lower P, K, Fe concentrations. Leaf B and Ca were higher for cultivars grafted on Sant Julien GF 655/2, while cultivars on Damas GF 1869 had higher P, Zn, Mn and lower N, B, Ca, Cu concentrations. Leaf N was lower for Fayette on all four rootstocks and significantly different from all other cultivars. Leaf P was lower for Everts and higher for Katherina. Lower concentrations were observed in Early Crest for Fe and Zn, in Andross for Mn, and in Loadel for B, while Flavor Crest had higher concentrations of all these elements. Leaf Zn was the highest for Sun Crest on wild seedling and the lowest for Early Crest on the same rootstock. Similarly leaf N was the highest for Katherina on Damas and the lowest for Fayetteon the same rootstock. Also leaf Mg was the highest for Fayette on Damas and the lowest for Fairlane on Damas. Peach tree mortality was the highest for Damas 1869 and lowest for Sant Julien. Also tree mortality was highest for Early Crest and Sun Crest and lowest for May Grand, Firebrite, and Katherina. The observed trends in the leaf nutrient composition, as regards the cultivars, rootstocks and their interactions, emphasize the importance of these factors on a new peach orchard establishment and macro-microelement fertilization.      


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1127-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Victor de Oliveira Ferreira ◽  
Roberto Ferreira Novais ◽  
Bruna Maximiano Médice ◽  
Nairam Félix de Barros ◽  
Ivo Ribeiro Silva

The use of leaf total nitrogen concentration as an indicator for nutritional diagnosis has some limitations. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of total N concentration as an indicator of N status for eucalyptus clones, and to compare it with alternative indicators. A greenhouse experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement with plantlets of two eucalyptus clones (140 days old) and six levels of N in the nutrient solution. In addition, a field experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of two seasons, two regions, two young clones (approximately two years old), and three positions of crown leaf sampling. The field areas (regions) had contrasting soil physical and chemical properties, and their soil contents for total N, NH+4-N, and NO−3-N were determined in five soil layers, up to a depth of 1.0 m. We evaluated the following indicators of plant N status in roots and leaves: contents of total N, NH+4-N, NO−3-N, and chlorophyll; N/P ratio; and chlorophyll meter readings on the leaves. Ammonium (root) and NO−3-N (root and leaf) efficiently predicted N requirements for eucalyptus plantlets in the greenhouse. Similarly, leaf N/P, chlorophyll values, and chlorophyll meter readings provided good results in the greenhouse. However, leaf N/P did not reflect the soil N status, and the use of the chlorophyll meter could not be generalized for different genotypes. Leaf total N concentration is not an ideal indicator, but it and the chlorophyll levels best represent the soil N status for young eucalyptus clones under field conditions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (11) ◽  
pp. 1006-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Duarte de Oliveira ◽  
Gilmar Arduino Bettio Marodin ◽  
Gustavo Klamer de Almeida ◽  
Mateus Pereira Gonzatto ◽  
Daniel Chamorro Darde

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of shoot heading and of hand thinning in different development stages of flowers and fruits on the fruit production and quality of 'BRS Kampai' peach (Prunus persica) trees. The experiment was performed during three crop years, under the conditions of the “Depressão Central” region in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and the treatments were: T1, heading of half of the mixed shoot; T2, heading of one third of the mixed shoot; T3, flower thinning in the pink bud stage; T4, thinning at full bloom; T5, thinning of fruit with 5 mm; T6, thinning of fruit with 20 mm; and T7, no thinning or heading (control). Fruit production and quality were evaluated. Plants with no thinning were more productive, but showed high frequency of fruits with a diameter smaller than 60 mm. Shoot heading reduced production per tree and resulted in small-sized fruit. Thinning time did not affect production, and fruit size was greater when thinning was performed at the bloom stage. 'BRS Kampai' peach trees can be thinned starting at bloom, which provides greater fruit size, with no production loss.


1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. O. Huett ◽  
G. R. Stewart

The effect of timing of nitrogen (N) application as 15N-enriched ammonium sulfate (50 kg N/ha) on the growth response and N uptake by vegetative and reproductive tissues was investigated in the low-chill peach cv. Flordagem growing on a krasnozem soil at Alstonville. Nitrogen was applied in late August, late September, late October, mid February, and early May. Tree parts were sampled for 15N at 4 and 8 weeks after application and after fruit harvest in December the following season. After fruit yield was measured, trees were excavated and divided into parts for dry weight and nutrient concentration determinations, and fertiliser N recovery and to estimate tree nutrient removal. Nitrogen enrichment was detected in all plant parts within 4 weeks of N application, irrespective of timing, and was greatest in rapidly growing tissues such as laterals, leaves, and fruit. The most rapid (P < 0.05) 15N enrichment in vegetative tissues resulted from September, October, and February N applications and for fruit from a September application. The level of enrichment 4 weeks after fertiliser N application was similar for vegetative and reproductive tissues. The timing of N application in the first season had no effect on fruit yield and vegetative growth the following season. At tree removal, the recovery of fertiliser N in most tree parts increased (P < 0.05) as fertiliser N application was delayed from October to May the previous season. Maximum contribution of absorbed N to whole tree N was 10–11% for laterals, leaf, and fruit. Data from this study indicate that vegetative and reproductive growth have similar demand for absorbed N, and that uptake of fertiliser N is most rapid when an application precedes a period of rapid growth. Over 2 seasons, recovery of applied fertiliser N was 14.9–18.0% in the tree, confirming that stored N and the soil N pool are the dominant sources of tree N. The recovery of fertiliser N from the May application was 18% even though uptake in all tree parts including roots at 4 weeks after application was very low, indicating that tree fertiliser N uptake occurred when growth resumed after the dormant winter period. The low proportion and recovery of fertiliser N in the tree confirm the lack of immediate influence of applied N to vegetative growth and yield. Annual crop nutrient removal is a sound basis for fertiliser recommendations, and for the Flordagem orchard (1000 trees/ha), it consisted of fruit plus 70% of laterals (removed at pruning) plus 20% of leaf. Removal in vegetative tissues was relatively low at (kg/ha) 14 N, 1 P, 12 K, 13 Ca, and 2 Mg. The addition of fruit at a yield of 25 t/ha increased total nutrient removal to (kg/ha) 46 N, 5 P, 54 K, 14 Ca, and 5 Mg.


1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
IR Dann ◽  
RA Wildes ◽  
DJ Chalmers

The distribution of current assimilates between competing zones of potential growth in the peach tree (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) was studied using limb girdling, which altered the balance between reproductive growth and vegetative growth in a similar manner to the aging process. Fruit matured earlier, and leaf senescence and abscission were advanced in girdled limbs. which supported normal fruit loads but had only half the leaf area. Lateral growth and secondary thickening were reduced by 50% but vegetative growth approached normal rates at times when fruit growth was minimal, indicating that girdling reduced the ability of vegetative growth to compete with reproductive growth for assimilates. Starch and soluble sugars did not accumulate above the girdles. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that girdling alters the balance between endogenous growth regulators which favour either vegetative or reproductive development. We suggest that the initial effects on the girdled limb are attributable to accumulation of growth regulators produced above the girdle. The reduced flow of growth regulators to the roots eventually results in lowered levels of root-produced hormones which subsequently causes effects throughout the tree.


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