When is the best time to fertilize peach trees? Master the key technical points of fertilization

Peach trees are a common type of fruit tree. For growers who plant peach trees, understanding fertilization techniques can effectively increase peach yields and boost the economic returns of peach cultivation. Sowhen is the best time to fertilize peach trees? Attached are the key technical points of peach tree fertilization!

I. When is the best time to fertilize peach trees

1. Base fertilizer for peach trees

For peach trees, autumn application is best. It can be applied around leaf fall in combination with autumn plowing, by opening a trench 40 cm deep under the tree or by applying it in radial trenches.

2. Topdressing for peach trees

Peach trees are generally topdressed 2~3 times a year, mainly with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. For high-yield orchards, 1~2 additional applications can be made.

(1) Topdressing before peach tree bud break: Apply 1~2 weeks before bud break in spring after the soil thaws, to promote root and new shoot growth, ensure good flowering and fertilization, and increase the fruit-setting rate. At this time, fertilization is mainly quick-acting nitrogen.

(2) Topdressing after peach tree flowering: This topdressing is mainly to promote new shoot and fruit growth and reduce fruit drop. A quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer can be applied again 1~2 weeks after the flowers fade.

(3) Topdressing at the peach pit-hardening stage: The timing of this topdressing is generally in early to mid-June. Topdressing at this time can promote embryo and pit development, flower bud differentiation, and fruit enlargement, and can also lay the foundation for the next year's fruiting. This fertilization should combine nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers.

(4) Topdressing during the peach fruit enlargement stage: For mid- and late-maturing varieties, this topdressing should be mainly nitrogen fertilizer, combined with potassium fertilizer, to improve fruit yield and quality.

(5) Topdressing after peach harvest: After the fruit is harvested, apply a supplemental fertilizer mainly of phosphorus and potassium, combined with nitrogen fertilizer, to replenish tree consumption, strengthen nutrient accumulation in the tree, improve winter hardiness, and ensure sustained high yields in the orchard the following year.

II. Key technical points of peach tree fertilization

1. Application of base fertilizer

According to differences among peach tree varieties, the best time to fertilize is as soon as possible after fruit harvest. If fertilization cannot be done in time then, it can also be applied about 1 month before leaf fall.

In the application of base fertilizer, it is best to use organic fertilizer as the main component. When the amount of organic fertilizer used is relatively small, the amount of nitrogen fertilizer can be flexibly determined according to tree age, peach tree vigor, and soil fertility. Generally, the nitrogen fertilizer applied in base fertilizer accounts for about 40%-60% of the total annual fertilizer application. For each mature peach tree, the amount applied is equivalent to 0.3-0.6 kg of pure nitrogen (equivalent to 1.7-3.4 kg of ammonium bicarbonate or 0.6-1.3 kg of urea or 0.9-1.9 kg of ammonium nitrate).

Generally, phosphorus fertilizer is mainly applied as base fertilizer. If a relatively large amount of organic fertilizer is also applied, the amount per tree is equivalent to 0.3-0.5 kg of pure phosphorus pentoxide (equivalent to 2-3.3 kg of calcium superphosphate with 15% phosphorus content or 0.75-1.25 kg of ammonium phosphate with 40% phosphorus content). Generally, the amount of potassium fertilizer in base fertilizer is equivalent to 0.25-0.5 kg of pure potassium oxide (equivalent to 0.5-1 kg of potassium sulfate with 50% potassium oxide content or 0.4-0.8 kg of potassium chloride with 60% potassium oxide content). Note that when fertilizing, do not place it too close to the tree body, and mix it properly with the soil during application to avoid burning the roots. For peach trees with higher soil water content, relatively heavy clay soil texture, older tree age, and weaker tree vigor, when less organic fertilizer is applied, the higher fertilizer amount can be used; otherwise, the amount should be reduced.

2. Application of flower-promoting fertilizer

Flower-promoting fertilizer is mostly applied in early spring before flowering. The fertilizer used is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, accounting for about 10% of the annual fertilizer application, and is often applied together with irrigation after the beginning of spring. The nitrogen fertilizer amount per mu, calculated as pure nitrogen, is 2-5 kg (about 4.3-10.9 kg of urea or 11-28.6 kg of ammonium bicarbonate). If the base fertilizer application was relatively high or base fertilizer was applied in winter, then the flower-promoting fertilizer may be omitted or reduced.

3. Application of fruit-setting fertilizer

Fruit-setting fertilizer is mostly applied after flowering and before fruit pit hardening, mainly to increase the fruit-setting rate, improve tree nutrition, and promote rapid early fruit growth. Fertilization is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, combined with a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. The amount accounts for about 10% of the annual application. The nitrogen fertilizer amount per mu, calculated as pure nitrogen, is 2-5 kg (about 4.3-10.9 kg of urea or 11-28.6 kg of ammonium bicarbonate).

4. Application of fruit enlargement fertilizer

Fruit enlargement fertilizer is applied after the fruit once again enters a rapid growth period. The fruit enlargement period of mid- and late-maturing varieties basically coincides with the flower bud differentiation period. Topdressing at this time is of great significance for promoting rapid fruit growth, promoting flower bud differentiation, and laying a good foundation for next year's production. Fruit enlargement fertilizer is mainly nitrogen and potassium fertilizer, and according to the soil's phosphorus supply, an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer can be added. The fertilizer amount accounts for about 20%-30% of the annual application. The nitrogen fertilizer amount per mu, calculated as pure nitrogen, is 4-10 kg (about 8.6-20.8 kg of urea or 22-57.5 kg of ammonium bicarbonate); the potassium fertilizer amount per mu, calculated as potassium oxide, is 6-15 kg (about 12-30 kg of potassium sulfate with 50% potassium oxide content or 10-25 kg of potassium chloride with 60% potassium oxide content). As needed, 10-30 kg of calcium superphosphate containing 14%-16% phosphorus pentoxide can be added.

Peach trees require relatively small amounts of trace element fertilizers and mainly rely on organic fertilizer and soil to provide them. If more organic fertilizer is applied, trace element fertilizers may be omitted or reduced; if less organic fertilizer is applied, trace element fertilizers may be applied appropriately. The actual amount of micro-fertilizer, calculated as the specific fertilizer and applied as base fertilizer, is: borax 0.25-0.5 kg per mu, zinc sulfate 2-4 kg per mu, manganese sulfate 1-2 kg per mu, ferrous sulfate 5-10 kg per mu (it should be applied together with high-quality organic fertilizer, with an organic fertilizer to iron fertilizer ratio of 5:1). Micro-fertilizers can also be sprayed on the leaves. The spray concentration should be controlled at 0.1%-0.5% according to the degree of leaf aging; it should be dilute when the leaves are young and can be a bit more concentrated when the leaves are older.

The above is the related knowledge introduced by Tuliu.com about when is the best time to fertilize peach trees, as well as an introduction to the key technical points of peach tree fertilization. Farmers who plant peach trees can use this article as a reference.