How to Fertilize Chestnuts? A Full Analysis of the Latest Fertilization Techniques

The chestnut is one of the dried fruits we often eat, and together with peach, apricot, plum, and jujube it is known as the “five fruits.” It is rich in vitamins, also has an osmanthus fragrance, and has a mosquito-repelling effect. Improper fertilization during chestnut cultivation often leads to poor plant growth and a decline in yield and quality. Below, let's learn about chestnut fertilization techniques together with the editor.

1. Base fertilizer

The best time to apply base fertilizer to chestnuts is in autumn after the fruit is harvested. At this time the temperature is relatively high, and the fertilizer, once decomposed, can supply fertility to the plant over the long term. At the same time, this is also the period when new roots of the chestnut tree sprout, which favors absorption, thereby promoting the accumulation of nutrients in the tree. This has a good effect on flower bud differentiation the following year and lays the foundation for a high yield the next year. The specific amount of fertilizer to apply should be considered from many aspects, such as the fruit load of the tree, tree vigor, and tree age. It should be based mainly on farmyard manure or organic fertilizer, with an appropriate combination of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and trace elements.

2. Topdressing

Topdressing is based mainly on quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, reasonably combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Topdressing is generally done in early spring and summer. These are precisely the periods of flower bud differentiation and of flowering and fruiting, when a large amount of nutrients is needed for growth and development and for flowering and fruiting. In spring application, young trees are generally given 0.3-0.5 kg of urea per tree, and trees in full production are given 2 kg of urea per tree. After topdressing, combine it with watering to give full play to the fertilizer's effect. Summer topdressing is generally carried out in July-August. This is precisely the young fruit swelling period. Topdressing with quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer can promote the enlargement of the fruit grains and plump flesh and improve fruit quality. However, attention should be paid to the application rate of nitrogen fertilizer, so as not to cause excessive vegetative growth, which would instead affect the yield and quality of chestnuts.

3. Foliar fertilization

The first two are root fertilization, but at certain times the plant needs a relatively large amount of fertilizer, and root absorption cannot meet the needs of growth, so foliar fertilization is needed to supplement it. Foliar fertilization is done several times a year. The first time is in early spring, when the leaves at the base of the branches have just unfolded and are changing from yellow to green. At this time, spraying 0.3%-0.5% urea plus 0.3%-0.5% borax can promote leaf function, improve photosynthesis, and promote flower formation, laying the foundation for a high yield. The second time is one month and half a month before harvest, when 0.1% monopotassium phosphate is sprayed once each time. Its main effect is to improve photosynthetic efficiency, promote the transfer of nutrients in the leaves to the fruit, and noticeably increase single-grain weight.

The above is an introduction to chestnut fertilization techniques. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please follow us.