Role of nutrients by growth stage in stone fruit
Stone fruit nutrient requirements vary depending on the crop growth stage. Find out which nutrients are most important and the roles of nutrients at different growth stages.
Roles of nutrients at different growth stages
Bud burst to Flowering
- Nitrogen and Potassium – promote strong early growth of new plant tissues and maximum tree productivity
- Phosphorus – maximize root development
- Calcium - boost root and leaf growth and ensure high yields
- Boron* and Zinc* – maximize bud burst and strong flower development
- Manganese*, Magnesium and Iron – to optimize leaf condition
* Foliar spray preferred
Fruit set
- Nitrogen – to maintain leaf development
- Potassium – maximize amounts in early fruit
- Phosphorus – fruit set and development
- Calcium – improve fruit quality and minimize fruit disorders
- Magnesium, Sulphur and Micronutrients* – for good leaf quality and reduced fruit drop
- Boron* and Zinc* – maximize growth of young fruit tissues
* Foliar spray preferred
Fruit fill to Maturity
- Nitrogen – in reduced amounts to maintain growth and sugar accumulation – excess can lead to rots and quality deterioration
- Potassium – improve fruit weight, color and TSS levels in the fruit – but at levels that don’t compete with calcium
- Calcium* – maintain fruit firmness, TSS and storage quality with minimal splitting
- Phosphorus* – improve fruit color and reduce storage disorders
- Magnesium* – maintain fruit firmness
- Boron alongside Copper* reduces splitting risks
* Foliar spray preferred
Post harvest prior to leaf senescence
- Nitrogen and Potassium – boost reserves for next season’s early growth
- Phosphorus – maximize bud development, early rooting and new tissue growth in the following spring
- Calcium – maintain high levels in the tree and stimulate new root development after the harvest
- Magnesium* Boron* and Zinc* – replenish reserves to maximize spring bud burst
* Foliar spray preferred
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