EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATIONS OF UREA AND BORON ON MALUS DOMESTICA AND PYRUS COMMUNIS

Crop regulation is an essential prerequisite to achieve regular yields and high fruit quality. Nutrient supply affects flowering, fruit set and yield. In two trials, the effect of foliar applications of urea and Boron (B) was investigated for apples and pears. In the apple trial soil fertilization (42 kg N ha^-1) and four urea applications (0.8%) in spring or/and two sprays (1.6%) after harvest (14 kg N ha^-1 each) were compared with soil fertilization (56 kg N ha^-1) only. In addition to the N fertilization two B applications (0.5 kg B ha^-1) in spring or after harvest were included in the pear trials. Under the prevailing conditions during the five year trials, the applications of urea or B had no discernible effect on tree growth, flowering, yield, BBI (biennial bearing index) and external fruit quality. Hence, crop regulation is the most important measure to assure regular yields and optimal fruit quality.