What are the latest management methods for navel oranges during the fruit expansion stage?

Navel orange is a very popular orange variety, mainly distributed in the southern regions of our country. Navel oranges contain large amounts of vitamin C, carotene and other nutrients, which can promote blood circulation and prevent gallbladder diseases. Navel oranges also have a certain planting area in our country, and the planting management of navel oranges is very important. Especially during the fruit expansion stage, it directly affects yield and quality. So how should they be managed during the navel orange expansion stage? Let's take a look below!

1. Timely topdressing

Around June to July, the summer shoots gradually mature, and root growth also accelerates, beginning to enter the vigorous growth period. At this time, we should apply topdressing in a timely manner to promote the growth of fine roots and fruit expansion, and then ensure the fruit accumulates sufficient nutrition for autumn shoot sprouting. The topdressing time is generally about 2-3 weeks before autumn shoots sprout, arranged reasonably according to tree vigor. Generally, old trees with weak growth can release shoots earlier, while the opposite can release shoots appropriately later. When fertilizing, ensure balance and uniformity, and appropriately supplement trace elements for the fruit trees, which can promote fruit expansion, preserve flowers and fruits, and improve the disease resistance of the fruit trees.

2. Reasonable watering

Navel orange growth requires sufficient water, especially during the expansion stage when the demand for water is greater. Water is a key factor affecting navel orange expansion and has an important impact on fruit size, sugar content, etc. Therefore, during the navel orange expansion stage, sufficient water must be ensured to promote fruit growth and development. We should water reasonably according to soil moisture conditions. If there is no rainfall for more than a week, water promptly. In high-temperature environments, first use spray watering to lower the canopy temperature, then water. Do not overwater, to prevent root rot from waterlogging that leads to navel orange fruit cracking.

3. Applying foliar fertilizer

During the expansion stage, foliar fertilizer should be sprayed appropriately, especially after new buds emerge, foliar fertilizer should be supplemented in time to promote leaf growth. Foliar fertilizer is mainly nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer. When new shoots stop growing and the tips physiologically abscise, then increase the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to promote fruit expansion and autumn shoot maturity. When spraying foliar fertilizer, brassinolide can be appropriately added to promote nutrient absorption by leaves and improve the conversion rate of foliar fertilizer. Brassinolide can promote fruit cell division, which is beneficial to fruit expansion, reduce fruit cracking and fruit drop, and also help chlorophyll synthesis and enhance photosynthetic capacity.

4. Pest and disease control

The expansion stage of navel oranges is generally around August each year, and this time is also a high-incidence stage for various pests and diseases, so we also need to strengthen pest and disease control work. Common pests and diseases of navel oranges include canker disease, psyllids, etc. Pest and disease control should focus on prevention, and the growth of navel oranges should be observed frequently. Achieve early detection and early treatment of pests and diseases, prevent the spread of the disease, and expand the affected area. Especially when navel oranges sprout shoots, the probability of pest occurrence increases, so each autumn shoot should be sprayed at least twice. Generally, application begins when growth reaches 1-2 cm, and then spraying for control is carried out again 2-3 weeks later.

When watering, we should also pay attention to temperature and light, to prevent fruit cracking and fruit drop caused by long-term drought followed by soil rainfall. Therefore, management should be strengthened, the tree disk should be appropriately covered, and an appropriate amount of grass should be cultivated to improve soil moisture retention capacity, lower temperature, and reduce water evaporation. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only. I hope it can help everyone!