Stone fruit
PDFFoliar fertilization in fruit-growing
The foliar fertilization with micro-nutrients (e.g. manganese, iron, magnesium) is well established since many years. The foliar fertilization with micro-nutrients (e.g. manganese, iron, magnesium) is well- stablishes since many years.
Foliar fertilizers can be used preventive as integrated part of the fertilizer strategy or if it comes to an undersupply with nutrients and visible symptoms. The leaf analysis can help to analyze and recognize the availability for each element.
Nutrient availability
Many parameters in the soil can limit the availability of nutrients – high pH-values can block micro-nutrients, low pH-values can block macro-nutrients. But also dry and cold weather conditions, soil texture and some nutrient antagonism (e.g. oversupply with potassium vs. magnesium and calcium) can lead to a deficiency of nutrients.
Specific requirements for stone-fruits
Stone fruits are easier to fertilize and less demanding. Most important are the macro-nutrients nitrogen for high yields and potassium/phosphorus to stimulating the fruit quality. The appropriate potassium-calcium-relation will enhance solid fruits with skin stability. In addition, the micro-nutrients zinc, iron and manganese are important for growing stone-fruits.
Stabile yields
The nutrition with amino acids in combination with the auxin effect of certain amino acids is particularly important for fruit setting and flower bud quality. The multiple application of Aminosol® from beginning blossom will enhance fruit setting and the fruit growth. In addition, leaf and fruit symptoms in plums will be reduced and the quality improved.
Iron chloroses
Cherries are susceptible to iron chloroses. An iron deficiency will be visible by yellowness of the youngest leaves with dark veins. Different paramters, e.g. soil structure, moisture and pH value will influence the iron availability. The foliar fertilizer Lebosol®-Eisen-Citrat GOLD – containing iron and manganese - will enhance the iron and manganese supply and availability. For better spreading and uptake, the product is containing amino acids as well.
Fruit quality and shelf life
Lebosol®-Calcium-Forte SC, free of chloride, will improve the calcium concentration in the fruit and enhance quality and shelf life. Besides that, Lebosol®-Calcium-Forte SC is containing the micro nutrients manganese and zinc as well.
Post-harvest treatment
Boron and zinc are mandatory for flowering, fruit setting and leaf development. At this period, trees can’t take up enough nutrients from the soil. For best fertilization and nutrition, we recommend a post-harvest treatment with Lebosol®-Bor and Lebosol®-Zink 700 SC.
These products can be combined with the application of urea and Aminosol® to enhance the storage of reserve substances for the next growing period.
Trial result Aminosol® in cherries 1999
Main recommendations
| Aim/Problem | Recommendation | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement in effectiveness and tolerability of plant protection products and calcium fertilisers | 150 - 300 ml Aminosol® (per 100 l spray water) | With plant protection products and calcium fertilisers |
| Improvement in flowering quality, fruit set, calcium transport, fruit quality |
2 times 2 l/ha Lebosol®-Robustus SC + 2 times 0,5 l/ha Lebosol®-Zink 700 SC |
Beginning of flowering to fruit set |
| Strengthening of inflorescences, yield | 2 - 3 times 2 - 3 l/ha Phytoamin® | Beginning of flowering to fruit set |
| Boosting of the restistance of the flowers to frost, yield |
1 - 2 times 2 l/ha Aminosol® + 1 - 2 times 1 l/ha Lebosol®-Robustus SC + 1 - 2 times 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Kalium 450 |
Beginning of flowering before frost |
| Promotion of fruit set, fruit growth, less cherry run off | 3 times 5 - 7,5 l/ha Aminosol® | Full bloom at intervals of 8 days |
| To combat leaf and fruit symptoms caused by sharka | 3 times 5 - 7,5 l/ha Aminosol® (without plant protection products) | Full bloom at intervals of 30 days |
| Increasing stress tolerance | 2 - 3 l/ha Aminosol® | End of flowering to harvesting, at stressed sites |
| Improvement in skin quality, calcium transport, flower bud quality |
1 - 2 times 2 l/ha Lebosol®-Robustus SC + 1 - 2 times 0,25 l/ha Lebosol®-Zink 700 SC |
End of flowering to harvesting |
| Vitalisation, improvement in the photosynthesis rate and resilience | 2 - 3 times 4 - 6 l/ha VITALoSol® GOLD SC | End of flowering to harvesting |
| Increase in fruit firmness, storage stability and resilience | 4 - 6 times 5 - 8 l/ha Lebosol®-Calcium-Forte SC | End of flowering to harvesting |
| To prevent premature leaf drop; increased vitality, leaf quality, photosynthesis rate | 2 - 3 times 3 - 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Magnesium 400 SC | Fruit set to harvesting |
| Improvement in leaf quality, photosynthesis rate, N efficiency | 2 - 3 times 1 l/ha Lebosol®-Mangan GOLD SC | Fruit set to harvesting |
| Prevention and alleviation of iron chlorosis, improvement in water transport, leaf quality | 2 - 5 times 3 - 7 l/ha Lebosol®-Eisen-Citrat GOLD | Fruit set to harvesting |
| Promotion of fruit firmness, fruit size, sugar content | 2 times 5 l/ha Lebosol®-Kalium 450or2 times 6 - 8 l/ha Lebosol®-PK-Max | Fruit set to harvesting |
| Depositing of reserve substances, regeneration, winter hardiness, flower quality |
2 times 2 - 3 l/ha Aminosol® + 2 times 0,5 l/ha Lebosol®-Zink 700 SC + 2 times 1 l/ha Lebosol®-AqueBor SC |
After harvesting |
| Treated crops are avoided by furred game | 2 l Aminosol® (With 2 l water 2 - 3 days beforehand (quantity for 1 ha)) | When required |