STRATEGIES OF FERTILIZER USE IN PERENNIAL FRUIT CROPS

J.B. Robinson
There are two approaches which can be taken to fertilizer use in perennial fruit crops. First, "(long-term) corrective", where absence of, or chemical unavailability of a nutrient in the soil, or positional inaccessibility, can be corrected by proper placement of an immobile nutrient in sufficient quantity to remain available to the plant for some years. Second, "maintenance", where the time the nutrient will remain available is short, as a result of immobilisation or leaching. Annual or more frequent applications are needed. The properties of the soil and its interaction with each nutrient will determine which is the appropriate approach. Often the "corrective" approach is suited to phosphorus and the "maintenance" strategy to nitrogen and micro-nutrients. Timing is important for some nutrients (e.g. nitrogen) which can affect fruitfulness or fruit quality directly, or indirectly via effects on vigour or canopy density. Method of soil management (e.g. tillage, herbicide strips) will influence the fertilizer requirement and the appropriate method of application.

During the last 15 years the emphasis placed upon experimental approaches to the nutrition of woody temperate species in Australia has declined yet there are a number of factors which suggest that renewed effort is required.

Robinson, J.B. (1989). STRATEGIES OF FERTILIZER USE IN PERENNIAL FRUIT CROPS. Acta Hortic. 240, 169-172
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.240.30
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.240.30

Acta Horticulturae