Peach Fertilization: The Latest Technical Methods Tutorial

The peach originated in our country and is widely cultivated; its fruit is delicious and suitable for all ages. In addition, it is rich in carotene, making it a good way for children to supplement nutrition. There are many kinds of peaches, and different variety series are available in different periods. They can fully meet the market's year-round demand. Management and maintenance during peach tree cultivation are very important, among which fertilization is the main focus. Today we will talk about how fertilization should be done in each growth period and what techniques there are.

I. Fertilizer Requirements

Peach trees can adapt to growth in ordinary soil, but slightly acidic soil is preferable; however, too low or too high a pH affects growth. Fertile sandy loam with good permeability is best. If the soil is clayey, heavy, and overly fertile, fruiting is easily delayed.

Peach roots are mostly distributed shallowly; to prevent the roots from rising to the surface, fertilizer should be applied deeply. Peach trees store nutrients in the few weeks before flower bud differentiation, so fertilization should be strengthened after fruit harvest.

Young trees grow relatively quickly, but fertilization should mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and apply less nitrogen fertilizer, because it easily delays flower bud differentiation and leads to later fruiting. During the full fruiting period, a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer is needed to stabilize tree vigor and coordinate the nutritional needs of flowering and fruiting; during fertilization, nitrogen and potassium fertilizers should be the main ones.

II. Fertilization Techniques

1. Base fertilizer

Apply one month before the tree sheds its leaves, or after fruit harvest. Generally, organic fertilizer is the main type. Nitrogen fertilizer can be applied according to tree size, accounting for about 50% of the annual fertilization amount; the fertilization amount for each adult peach tree is equivalent to 0.3~0.6 kg of pure nitrogen. Potassium fertilizer is about 20%, and the potassium fertilizer application amount is equivalent to 0.25~0.5 kg of pure potassium oxide. Application must not be too close to the tree, as it easily burns the roots.

2. Flower-promoting fertilizer

Apply before flowering in spring, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer, accounting for about 10% of the annual fertilization amount, and apply together with irrigation. The nitrogen fertilizer amount per mu, calculated as pure nitrogen, is about 5 kg, equivalent to about 5~10 kg of urea or 10~30 kg of ammonium bicarbonate. If the base fertilizer application is sufficient, the flower-promoting fertilizer can be applied sparingly or not at all.

3. Fruit-setting fertilizer

Apply fruit-setting fertilizer after flowering and before the pit-hardening stage, mainly to increase tree nutrition, protect flowers and fruits, and promote fruit setting and rapid fruit growth. Use nitrogen fertilizer as the main type, supplemented with a small amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. The application accounts for about 10% of the annual application amount. The nitrogen fertilizer amount per mu is about 5 kg of pure nitrogen, roughly 3~9 kg of urea.

4. Fruit-swelling fertilizer

Apply after the second rapid fruit growth period; fertilization during the fruit-swelling period is carried out together with fertilization during the flower bud differentiation period. Fruit-swelling fertilizer is mainly nitrogen and potassium fertilizer, and an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer can be added. The fertilization amount accounts for about 20%~30% of the annual application amount. The nitrogen fertilizer amount per mu, calculated as pure nitrogen, is 4~9 kg, about 8.6~20.8 kg of urea. For potassium fertilizer, applying 5~15 kg of potassium oxide per mu is about 12~30 kg of 50% potassium sulfate. Superphosphate at 10~30 kg can also be added.

Peach fertilization is generally divided into applications at each period. Therefore, it is necessary to apply fertilizer according to the different needs of each period and according to the fertilizer requirements of peach trees, so as to ensure smooth growth and development at each stage. This increases yield to a certain extent and prevents the phenomenon of alternating heavy and light fruiting years.