Fertilisation Techniques and Timing for Persimmon Trees: Master the Nutrient Requirements for High Yields
The persimmon tree originated in the Yangtze River basin of China, extending east to Taiwan Province, and is widely cultivated in many provinces and regions. The fruit is often de-astringed before being eaten as a fruit; after proper treatment it can be stored for several months and can be eaten at any time of the year. Persimmons can also be processed into dried persimmons. So what are the requirements for the nutrient requirements of persimmon trees and the high-yield fertilisation techniques and timing?
For high-quality, stable yields in persimmon trees, fertilisation is an extremely important step. According to research, an annual yield of 1.2 tonnes of persimmon fruit requires the uptake of approximately 50 kg of nitrogen, 14 kg of phosphorus and 43 kg of potassium. It is clear that persimmon trees have a very large demand for nitrogen and potassium. Nutrient uptake also differs across the various growth stages of the persimmon tree. From bud break to before flowering, the nutrients needed for growth come mainly from nutrients stored within the tree itself, and the amount absorbed from the soil is relatively small, but as time goes on the uptake increases markedly; from flowering to the fruit-swelling stage is the period of greatest nutrient uptake, and potassium in particular is needed in greater amounts the later the stage, while phosphorus uptake is relatively balanced; after the ripening stage and before leaf fall, nutrient uptake decreases, but maintaining a certain nutrient supply has a favourable effect on the accumulation of stored nutrients within the tree.
Fertilisation Techniques for Persimmon Trees
Persimmon fertilisation is related to site conditions and variety characteristics.
Base fertiliser can be applied in autumn or in early spring, but autumn application is preferable; for late-maturing varieties, it should be applied before harvest. Base fertiliser is mainly farmyard manure, combined with a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium fertiliser, and the application rate accounts for 1/2 to 2/3 of the annual fertiliser application. Where it is difficult to apply organic fertiliser in mountain persimmon orchards, green manure crops can be grown, and 0.5 to 1 tonne of green manure can be buried per 667 sq m.
Top-dressing of persimmon trees can be divided into two applications. The first is applied from when new shoots stop growing until before flowering, mainly with quick-acting nitrogen fertiliser, appropriately combined with phosphorus and potassium fertiliser, mainly to promote the development of flower organs and increase the fruit-setting rate. The second is applied at the early stage of fruit swelling, preferably with a three-element compound fertiliser. Later, foliar spraying of 1% urea, 0.2% monopotassium phosphate or other fruit-tree foliar fertiliser can both increase yield and improve quality, and also help the tree's vigour to recover after harvest.