ORCHARDS FOLIAR FERTILIZATION

orchards-foliar-fertilization
orchards-foliar-fertilization

Fruit orchards, due to their specificity, are very demanding for the conditions of mineral nutrition. Weather conditions of spring 2019 were generally favorable for fruit trees as there was no frost during flowering, however, after a record harvest of last year, on separate varieties of apple it is visually noticeable that the number of ovaries is significantly smaller. Taking this into account, in order to achieve the planned yield, more attention should be paid to mineral nutrition during the entire period of fruit formation.

Long-term precipitation in many regions during the end of April and almost two decades of May, of course, had a positive effect on the formation of moisture reserves in the soil, but, at the same time, high humidity means higher risk of spread of plant diseases. “Comfortable” conditions of mineral nutrition contribute to the fact that the plant itself can largely withstand the diseases. The elements of nutrition which increase the resistance of plants to pathogens are phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, boron, copper, zinc. Each of these elements "works" in its segment.

Phosphorus, in particular, provides energy metabolism in the plant, powerful growth of the root system, phosphite form of phosphorus stimulates the synthesis of protective substances in the plant - phytoalexins. Based on this property, special phosphite-based fertilizers are registered as fungicides that suppress pathogens of various groups.

Calcium, which contributes to the strengthening of cell walls, to some extent reduces the possibility of penetration of the pathogen inside the cell, it regulates the acid-base balance, which is also a certain barrier to pathogens.

Magnesium, as a component of chlorophyll, contributes to enhancing the process of photosynthesis and better assimilation of other elements of nutrition.

One of the main functions of boron in a plant is the formation of healthy conductive beams.

Copper and zinc are part of enzymes that form the resistance of plants to diseases. This property was noticed by people long time ago and was used to protect plants. It is worth recalling that the first fungicide - Bordeaux liquid - is nothing but copper sulfate in alkaline environment.

Based on the above mentioned, the system of foliar fertilization in the first half of the growing of fruit crops should take into account the needs of the plants, first and foremost, in providing these elements of nutrition. Based on that and taking into account the positive experience of application, we recommend in the orchards, after flowering, a foliar application of tank mix of ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.5 l/ha + ECOLINE Boron (Premium) 1.0 l/ha. The second foliar fertilization should be planned at the beginning of fruit formation phase with the tank mix of ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) 2.0 l/ha + ECOLINE Zinc (Chelate) 0.5 - 1.0 l/ha. The third application should be done when the fruits are "walnut size". During this period, it is important to provide the plants with the elements responsible for the qualitative characteristics of the yield. For this purpose, we offer tank mix of ECOLINE Calcium-Boron (Chelate) 2.0 - 2.5 l/ha + ECOLINE Phosphite (K-Zn) 1.5 l/ha.

In case of deficiency of other elements of mineral nutrition (based on leaf diagnostics), we can propose the required for particular conditions compositions from ECOORGANIC portfolio. Above that, for gardens with drip irrigation systems, we can offer special liquid complex NPK fertilizers from the new product line FITOSTART.

Recent Posts