ISSN:
1573-5036
Keywords:
chlorophyll
;
fruit size
;
harvest date
;
leaf analysis
;
nitrogen fertilization
;
soil analysis
;
spur
;
vegetative growth
;
yield
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract The response of ‘Starking Delicious’ (Malus domestica Borkh.) apple trees to four N fertigation treatments in drip irrigation (50, 150, 250 and 400 kg N ha−1, supplemented with a uniform dose of 400 kg K ha−1) was investigated in a field experiment during 6 years. Nitrate nitrogen in the soil was proportional (7–58 mg kg−1) to the applied N dose at the end of a 6 week fertigation period in the spring. At other times, the nitrate concentration in the soil was very low. Soil K decreased with depth and in the 0–30 cm soil layer it was negatively correlated with the applied N dose, before fertigation started. At the end of the spring fertigation period, higher K was found in all soil layers analyzed. Vegetative growth was correlated positively with the amount of N applied. Leaf chlorophyll and N were significantly lower only in the lowest N treatment, while increased fruit size and decreased fruit color were measured only in the higher N treatments. Yield was severely biennial. In the ‘On’ years crop load was heavier as less N was applied. An extremely high crop load in the lowest N treatment was followed by a reduced flower density and yield in the following season. In the ‘Off’ years, a significantly higher yield was obtained with the 150 kg ha−1 dose. The dry weights, N, P and K contents of the above ground parts of mature apple trees were determined.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02370423
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