Fruit Tree Fertilization Timing and Methods Explained: Fertilizer Application Amount Is Larger from May to July

SummaryFruit tree fertilization timing: usually from May to July each year, because this period is the vigorous growth stage of fruit trees, and their branch and leaf growth, flower bud differentiation, flowering and fruiting, and root growth all need to consume large amounts of nutrients. Fruit tree fertilization methods: common ones include the trench fertilization method, ring fertilization method, hole fertilization method, radial trench fertilization method, whole-orchard fertilization method, foliar spraying fertilization method, drip and irrigation fertilization method, and hanging-bottle fertilization method, etc.

I. Timing of Fruit Tree Fertilization

1. The fertilization timing and methods for fruit trees are related to the growing environment and growth stage, and different fruit tree types will also lead to certain differences in their fertilization methods and timing.

2. Fruit trees are unlike other plants. Because they need to grow fruit to be harvested every year, pruning branches every year takes away large amounts of nutrients from the fruit trees. Therefore, the annual fertilizer requirement of fruit trees is relatively large, and May to July each year is the vigorous growth stage of fruit trees. Their branch and leaf growth, flower bud differentiation, flowering and fruiting, and root growth all need to consume large amounts of nutrients.

3. From the young fruit stage to the fruit swelling stage, fruit trees need sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, especially nitrogen and potassium. From after fruit harvest to leaf fall, it is the period when the tree body accumulates nutrients. The amount of accumulated nutrients has a relatively large impact on sprouting and flowering the following year.

4. When topdressing before flowering of fruit trees, fertilizers mainly based on quick-acting fertilizers should be used. This can protect flowers and fruit, improve the fruit-setting rate and fruit quality. When topdressing after flowering of fruit trees, quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer should be mainly used to promote rapid and robust growth of new branches, increase photosynthesis, and reduce fruit drop.

5. When topdressing before flower bud differentiation and during the fruit swelling stage of fruit trees, organic fertilizer and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be mainly used. This can promote the accumulation of nutrients in fruit trees, make flower bud differentiation fuller and more substantial, and also prevent “alternate bearing”. It is more conducive to better expansion of young fruit. Continued topdressing can again promote flower bud differentiation and improve fruit yield and quality.

6. When topdressing in the later growth stage of fruit trees, organic fertilizer and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be mainly used. This can extend the functional period of leaves, increase photosynthesis of fruit trees, provide reserve nutrient substances for fruit trees, and also make flower bud differentiation more substantial, with a significant effect on enhancing tree vigor.

II. Trench Fertilization Method

1. Method: This is done by digging a trench between each row and each plant of fruit trees with a depth of 30cm-50cm, a width of 20cm-40cm, and a trench diameter smaller than the tree canopy diameter. The fertilizer needed to provide nutrients to the fruit trees is applied into the trench, and then the soil can be filled back. However, if fertilizer and soil are mixed evenly together and then used to fill the trench, no fertilizer should be applied in the soil at about 10cm on the soil surface.

2. Advantages: This method can effectively loosen the soil between fruit trees, improve the soil environment of fruit tree roots, make the fertilizer effect more lasting, and also improve the absorption rate of fertilizer nutrients by fruit trees. This method is suitable for applying autumn base fertilizer to fruit trees.

3. Disadvantages: Because deep trenches must be dug, the investment of manpower and material resources is relatively large.

III. Ring Fertilization Method

1. Method: Around the fruit tree, at a place relatively far from the tree canopy, dig a circular or semicircular trench with a depth of 30cm-50cm and a width of 20cm-40cm, then apply fertilizer into the trench and fill the trench with soil. This method is also called the wheel-shaped fertilization method. It is suitable for applying autumn base fertilizer to young trees planted for less than 4 years or fruit trees planted on sloping land.

2. Advantages: It can effectively improve the plant's absorption of fertilizer nutrients, and it is also simple to operate.

3. Disadvantages: It easily damages the roots of fruit trees, causing the ecological environment of fruit tree roots to be affected.

IV. Radial Trench Fertilization Method

1. Method: This method is suitable for fruit trees that have grown for more than 5 years and for use when topdressing fruit trees in spring. First, take the fruit tree trunk as the center, then take the outer edge of the tree canopy's shadow as the length of the trench, and dig 5-8 radial deep trenches in different directions at a distance of 1m from the trunk for fertilization. The inner width of the fertilization trench is 30cm-40cm, the outer width is 40cm-50cm; the inner depth of the trench is 20cm-30cm, the outer depth is 40cm-50cm; the length of the trench is generally 60cm-80cm, with half inside and half outside the tree canopy. Then apply fertilizer into the trench and fill the trench with soil.

2. Advantages: It can effectively improve soil looseness, will not damage the root system of fruit trees, further expand the fertilization area of fruit trees, and make nutrient absorption by fruit trees more complete.

3. Disadvantages: The fertilization holes cannot be used continuously; the position must be changed once every year.

V. Whole-Orchard Fertilization Method

1. Method: This method is used most by fruit farmers. Fertilizer is directly and evenly broadcast on all the soil in the orchard, and then rotary tillage or soil turning is carried out to 20cm. It is generally suitable for use in orchards with dense fruit trees, developed root systems, and mature fruit trees.

2. Advantages: It is easy to operate and can be used alternately with the radial trench fertilization method, so that fertilizer utilization can reach the optimum.

3. Disadvantages: It can cause the root system of fruit trees to float upward, leading to a decline in the drought resistance and freezing injury resistance of the fruit tree root system. In addition, the fertilizer amount used is relatively large, and the fertilizer utilization rate is very low.

VI. Hole Fertilization Method

1. Method: Dig holes in the tree plate at the edge of the vertical projection of the fruit tree canopy. Each fruit tree should have 8-12 fertilization holes dug, each hole 30cm-40cm deep, with a hole diameter of about 30cm. After placing fertilizer, fill with soil. It is suitable for orchards with relatively high planting density and is also applicable to orchards during the young fruit stage and fruit swelling stage of fruit trees. Note that holes should be dug evenly around the tree canopy so that fertilizer can be absorbed evenly by the fruit trees.

2. Advantages: It is beneficial to decomposition by microorganisms, reduces fertilizer loss in the soil, is not likely to damage the root system of fruit trees, and can also allow fertilizer to be absorbed quickly by fruit trees.

3. Disadvantages: If fertilization holes are not dug evenly, it will cause the phenomenon of “rootless zones” in fruit trees.

VII. Foliar Spraying Fertilization Method

1. Method: Nitrogen fertilizer is generally sprayed in combination with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in the early and late growth stages, with a spraying concentration of 0.3%-0.5%; phosphorus fertilizer is generally sprayed as potassium dihydrogen phosphate at a concentration of 0.3% or as superphosphate filtrate at a concentration of 1%, mostly used in the middle and late stages of fruit trees; potassium fertilizer is generally sprayed as plant ash filtrate at a concentration of 0.3% or potassium dihydrogen phosphate at a concentration of 0.3%, and can also be used in the middle and late stages of fruit trees; trace element fertilizer is generally sprayed as borax solution at a concentration of 0.3% before and after flowering, and ferrous sulfate at a concentration of 0.3% for iron supplementation during the growth period. Generally, fertilizer is dissolved in water and sprayed on the leaf surface. It can be used as an auxiliary method for quickly supplementing nutrients to fruit trees after soil burial fertilization, and is only used during the key growth periods of fruit trees.

2. Advantages: It saves costs, uses less fertilizer, provides nutrients evenly, has high utilization effect, and can be used alone or together with other compatible substances.

3. Disadvantages: Spraying too much will affect the growth of the fruit tree root system, and in severe cases will also cause fertilizer damage to fruit trees. Especially during high-temperature periods, spraying cannot be carried out because it is more likely to cause fertilizer damage. When improperly combined with pesticides or fertilizers, it is also easy to cause pesticide damage or fertilizer damage, so it is generally sprayed once about every 13 [days].

VIII. Irrigation Fertilization Method

1. Method: This is a new type of water-fertilizer integrated fertilization method, used in orchards with high planting density and connected tree canopies. Fertilizer and water are dissolved together and used during sprinkler irrigation or drip irrigation of fruit trees.

2. Advantages: It saves time and labor, irrigates water and fertilizer together, greatly improves the fertilizer utilization rate, causes little damage to the fruit tree root system, and is even less likely to cause root burning.

3. Disadvantages: The early investment is relatively large. If too much water is used, it will lead to uneven fertilization and loss of fertilizer nutrients.

IX. Hanging-Bottle Fertilizer Injection Method

1. Method: Hang a bottle filled with fertilizer solution or with pesticides for preventing and controlling pests and diseases on the tree, and use an injection to provide nutrients or pesticides to the branches and leaves through the trunk. This is generally used for emergency use, to treat plant nutrient deficiency symptoms or prevent and control insect pests. It can be used in both spring and winter, but cannot be used 40 days before fruit harvest.

2. Advantages: It will not be affected by the fruit tree root system, can take effect in a short period, and the fertilizer effect is dozens of times higher than foliar spraying. It has a fertilizer effect of 1-2 years, saves pesticide water and fertilizer water, and requires less manpower input.

3. Disadvantages: Fertilizer can only be transported in the vessels, cannot be used on young trees and fruit trees with relatively thin trunks, easily causes mechanical damage to the tree, and is also easily invaded by harmful pathogens.