Response of high density apple orchards on coarsetextured soil to form of potassium applied by fertigation

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
G H Neilsen ◽  
D. Neilsen
Keyword(s):  
Potassium Chloride ◽  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
High Density ◽  
Potassium Sources ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Bitter Pit ◽  
Cation Status ◽  
Potassium Magnesium ◽  
Annual Application

This study tested the effects of fertigated potassium sources on orchard cation status. A randomized, complete block experimental design was maintained from 2000 to 2003, in a high density ‘Jonagold’/M.9 apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) orchard planted in 1993 on a loamy sand. Seven K-fertigation treatments included annual application of either no K (control), 15 g K/tree as either potassium chloride or potassium magnesium sulphate (KMag) or 30 g K/tree as potassium chloride, KMag, potassium sulphate or potassium thiosulphate, applied daily during 6 wk midsummer to six replicate, four-tree plots. Fertigated K-forms did not affect yield, but increased soil K after 3 yr to 30-cm depth beneath the drip emitters. This increased leaf and fruit K concentrations. Fruit K/Ca ratio was also increased by K-fertigation. A high incidence of bitter pit at harvest was unaffected by fertigating K, but rather was associated with low harvest fruit Ca concentration and large fruit size. KMag increased soil Mg availability, but leaf and fruit Mg concentrations were slightly affected, indicating the difficulties of improving apple Mg status when co-applying K. Leaf and fruit Ca concentrations were minimally affected by treatments. Soil Ca declined slightly after 3 yr of K fertigation. Key words: Bitter pit, calcium, chloride, magnesium, Malus × domestica, sulphate, thiosulphate

Consequences of potassium, magnesium sulphate fertilization of high density Fuji apple orchards

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Neilsen ◽  
D. Neilsen
Keyword(s):  
Magnesium Sulphate ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
High Density ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Production Region ◽  
Exchangeable Ca ◽  
Fuji Apple ◽  
Potassium Magnesium

Neilsen, G. H. and Neilsen, D. 2011. Consequences of potassium, magnesium sulphate fertilization of high density Fuji apple orchardsConsequences of potassium, magnesium sulphate fertilization of high density Fuji apple orchards. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 1013–1027. Three annual broadcast fertilizer treatments of 0, 100 or 200 kg K ha–1as K, Mg sulphate (KMag) were applied in a randomized complete block design with six replicate multi-tree plots. The study was undertaken for three successive growing seasons in eight commercial apple orchards of fruiting ‘Fuji’/M.9 (Malus × domestica Borkh.) located on coarse-textured soils typical of the Okanagan valley fruit production region of southern British Columbia. After 3 yr, KMag fertilization increased the amount and proportion of exchangeable K and Mg at the 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth. Soil exchangeable Ca was generally decreased in the surface 0–10 cm layer although the Ca/Σ[Ca + Mg + K] ratio decreased over the surface 20 cm. During the study, application of KMag fertilizer often increased leaf and fruit K concentrations, minimally affected leaf Mg and sometimes decreased fruit Ca concentration by years 2 and 3 and had little effect on fruit K/Ca or Mg/Ca ratio. KMag fertilization was effective in an orchard of marginal K nutritional status, increasing cumulative yield, fruit size and red colouration, implying an economic response to the K contained in the fertilizer. KMag fertilization was effective for maintaining leaf Mg concentration, but could not be relied upon to increase deficient leaf Mg. There were no widespread declines in fruit Ca concentration, nor increases in Ca-related harvest disorders after 3 yr of KMag fertilization, despite declines in exchangeable Ca and Ca/Σ[Ca + Mg + K] in surface soil layers.

scholarly journals The Effect of Weed Competition on Apple Fruit Quality

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ersin ATAY ◽  
Seckin GARGIN ◽  
Ahmet ESITKEN ◽  
N. Pinar GUZEL ◽  
A. Nilgun ATAY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
High Density ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Weed Competition ◽  
Soluble Solids Content ◽  
Solids Content ◽  
Potassium Magnesium

Orchard performance is influenced by weed competition. In this study, the effects of weed competition on nutrient contents, chemical and physical fruit quality properties were sought. The study was carried out in a high-density apple orchard (‘Golden Delicious’/M.9) over two consecutive growing seasons. The effect of weed competition was studied at three different levels: weak, moderate and strong. Fruit firmness, soluble solids content, macronutrients (such as nitrogen, potassium and calcium) and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio in fruit were significantly affected by weed competition. Strong weed competition negatively affected soluble solids content and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. In both trial years, soluble solids content was significantly higher in weak weed competition. In the first year of the study, soluble solids content ranged between 13.77±0.06% (strong weed competition) and 15.20±0.10% (weak weed competition). In the following year, soluble solids content values were determined as 13.13±0.23% in strong weed competition and 13.83±0.21% in weak weed competition. Weak weed competition showed superiority for fruit weight and potassium+magnesium/calcium ratio. As a whole, this study indicates that insufficient weed control in tree rows might be a limiting factor for fruit quality in high-density apple orchards.

scholarly journals Effects of Rootstock, Tree Density and Training System on Early Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Blush Pear

HortScience ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lexie McClymont ◽  
Ian Goodwin ◽  
Desmond Whitfield ◽  
Mark O’Connell ◽  
Susanna Turpin
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Training System ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
High Density ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
And Training

Vegetative growth, orchard productivity, fruit quality and marketable yield were evaluated for rootstock (D6, BP1 and Quince A), tree density (741–4444 trees/ha), and training system (Open Tatura trellis, two-dimensional vertical and three-dimensional traditional) effects on young trees of the blush pear cultivar ‘ANP-0131’. ‘ANP-0131’ is a vigorous scion and vegetative growth, precocity, and yield were influenced by the selected rootstocks. Tree density and training system treatments exerted a substantial effect on canopy radiation interception while increasing tree density improved yield. Increasing tree density from 2222 (high density) to 4444 (ultra-high density) trees/ha did not improve cumulative yield. Crop load affected fruit size, such that “marketable” yield (yield of fruit weighing between 150 and 260 g) was greatest for trees on D6 rootstock and trained to Open Tatura trellis at high and ultra-high densities.

Bitter pit in the apple variety Cleopatra in Tasmania in relation to calcium and magnesium

1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 742 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Martin ◽  
TL Lewis ◽  
J Cerny
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Calcium Content ◽  
Magnesium Nitrate ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Apple Variety ◽  
Nitrate Treatment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bitter Pit ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
Potassium Magnesium

When spray treatments were applied to half-trees of Cleopatra apples, it was shown that magnesium nitrate increased the incidence of pit and calcium nitrate decreased it. There was a suggestion that borax decreased the effectiveness of the calcium nitrate treatment. Magnesium or calcium nitrate, with or without borax, did not affect the potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, or nitrogen content of the fruit cortex. Calcium nitrate in 1959 increased the calcium content but magnesium nitrate had no effect. There was no significant difference in the content of potassium, magnesium, or phosphorus between 1958 and 1959, but the calcium content was 3.3 times as high in 1958. Pit incidence was low in 1958 and high in 1959. No significant difference in content of these four elements could be demonstrated between sound and pitted fruits. The results support the view that calcium is the critical element in pit incidence and that magnesium may play an important part.

The effect of tree sprays of calcium, boron, zinc and naphthaleneacetic acid, alone and in all combinations, on the incidence of storage disorders in Merton apples

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Martin ◽  
TL Lewis ◽  
J Cerny ◽  
DA Ratkowsky
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Size ◽  
Calcium Nitrate ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Zinc Nitrate ◽  
Naphthaleneacetic Acid ◽  
Mineral Element ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Bitter Pit ◽  
One Year ◽  
Storage Disorders

The effect of four whole-tree sprays at monthly intervals on the fruit mineral element content and on the incidence of storage disorders in Merton apples was investigated for three years. Calcium nitrate, boric acid, zinc nitrate and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were applied singly and in all possible combinations. There were no significant treatment interactions, which implied an absence of synergistic or antagonistic effects between spray components. Calcium nitrate was the only compound whose application consistently reduced the incidence of bitter pit and breakdown following cool storage for 4 months. In one year NAA reduced the incidence of these disorders, but it also reduced mean fruit size and increased the concentration of most of the mineral elements, including calcium, in the fruit at harvest. Zinc nitrate sprays had no effect. Boron application promoted the development of core flush in one year and of breakdown in two years, but did not affect the incidence of bitter pit. No relationship was observed between the levels of calcium and boron in the fruit.

Fruit canopy positioning affects fruit calcium and potassium concentrations, disorder incidence, and fruit quality for ‘Honeycrisp’ apple

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 761-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Kalcsits ◽  
James Mattheis ◽  
Luca Giordani ◽  
Michelle Reid ◽  
Katie Mullin
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Quality ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
High Density ◽  
Nutrient Distribution ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Fruit Maturity ◽  
Canopy Position ◽  
Bitter Pit ◽  
Colour Development ◽  
Soft Scald

One advantage of high-density apple orchard systems is homogeneity in fruit maturity and quality. However, even in modern orchard systems, variation in fruit quality occurs. ‘Honeycrisp’ apple is susceptible to numerous disorders including bitter pit, soft scald, and poor colour development. Heterogeneity in fruit quality and nutrient distribution can lead to variation in fruit storability. Here, we tested the effect of within-canopy position on fruit calcium and potassium concentrations, quality, and disorder development for fruit across nine representative high-density orchards. Calcium concentrations were greater in the upper part of the canopy compared with the lower part. Potassium was more evenly distributed within the canopy. Calcium concentrations and potassium-to-calcium ratios were significantly correlated with mean bitter pit incidence, which was between 20% and 30% in the lower half of the tree and <15% in the upper half. Fruit quality was significantly affected by the position in the canopy and was not constrained to only colour, but also other quality metrics such as dry matter, size, and firmness. Additionally, the internal ethylene concentrations (IECs) of fruit in the upper canopy were approximately 50% of the IECs for fruit from the lower canopy. With an increased emphasis on uniformity and predictability of fruit for long-term storage, these results underscore the importance of understanding variation within the canopy. Even for high-density systems, significant variation in fruit quality can occur and fruit from the upper canopy has lower disorder incidence and higher fruit quality than fruit from the lower canopy.

WINTER INJURY TO GRAVENSTEIN APPLE STRAINS AS INFLUENCED BY TRUNK SCORING

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 981-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. EMBREE ◽  
A. D. CROWE
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Field Trial ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Graft Union ◽  
Lower Trunk

Eleven Gravenstein apple strains (Malus domestica) in an 8-yr-old field trial were trunk scored 4 wk after bloom prior to and following the 1980–1981 test winter that injured many trees in Eastern Canadian orchards. Regression analysis revealed that scores which healed poorly and initial light cropping reduced lower trunk hardiness while growth had no effect. The incidence of injury was greatest below the score but always above the graft union and fruit size was negatively correlated with trunk damage.Key words: Winter injury, Gravenstein apple, trunk scoring, healing, yield, growth

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF HYDROGEN CYANAMIDE ON APPLE AND PLUM FRUIT THINNING

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 690a-690
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Fallahi ◽  
Brenda R. Simons ◽  
John K. Fellman ◽  
W. Michael Colt
Keyword(s):  
Malus Domestica ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Fruit Weight ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanamide ◽  
Fruit Thinning ◽  
Prunus Salicina

Influence of various concentrations of hydrogen cyanamide (HC) on fruit thinning of `Rome Beauty' apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), `Friar,' and `Simka' plums (Prunus salicina Lindley) were studied. A full bloom application of HC at all tested concentrations decreased `Rome Beauty' apple fruit set and yield, and increased fruit weight. Hydrogen cyanamide at 0.25% (V/V) resulted in adequate apple thinning, indicated by the production of an ideal fruit weight. Prebloom and full bloom applications of HC at greater than 0.75% reduced plum fruit set and yield in `Friar.' Full bloom application of HC at 0.25% to 0.50% showed a satisfactory fruit set, yield, and fruit size in `Friar' plum. Full bloom application decreased fruit set and yield in `Simka' plum. Hand thinning, as well as chemical thinning, is recommended for plums.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SEVERAL GROWTH CONTROLLING TECHNIQUES ON APPLE TREES

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1162c-1162
Author(s):  
Wesley R. Autio ◽  
Duane W. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Apple Trees ◽  
The Third ◽  
Flesh Firmness ◽  
Bitter Pit ◽  
Spray Treatment

In 1991, experiments were conducted to assess the effects of several growth controlling techniques on tree growth and fruit set, abscision, ripening, and other qualities. The first two experiments assessed the effects of root pruning (4-8 days after petal fall, 1 m from the trunk, 30 cm deep) in commercial orchards. Compared to controls, root pruning reduced fruit abscision from mature `Cortland'/M.7A trees by 70% on 17 Sept. In another orchard, root pruning reduced fruit abscision from mature `McIntosh'/MM.106 trees by 47% on 24 Sept. The third experiment utilized vigorous `Gardiner Delicious'/MM.106 trees. Treatments included root pruning (as described above), trunk scoring (single, complete circle, approximately 40 cm from the soil), trunk ringing (single, complete circle, 1 mm wide, approximately 40 cm from the soil), ethrel spray treatment (500 ppm), and dormant-pruned and unpruned controls. Treatments were applied on 15 May, when terminal growth was 12-15 cm. No treatment affected fruit set. Trunk growth was less for ringed and scored trees than other treatments. Ringing and scoring advanced ripening compared to controls, and ethrel resulted in intermediate ripening. Treatments had no effect on fruit size, flesh firmness, or the development of bitter pit and cork spot. Fruit abscision was least from controls and root-pruned trees. Trees that were treated with ethrel in May had the most rapid abscision rate.

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