What to Do About Nitrogen Deficiency in Figs? Latest Solutions Explained
The fig is a fruit belonging to the subtropical large deciduous small tree, and its growing regions are in the tropics and temperate zones. Although it is called a fig, the fig tree is very impressive, with luxuriant branches and leaves and high ornamental value, and it is now the first choice for landscaping in many cities and gardens, and is also used as a potted plant. But in the current planting process, in order to prevent the fruit trees from growing too densely, farmers apply little or no nitrogen fertilizer. This causes severe nitrogen deficiency in the fruit trees, so what should be done about nitrogen deficiency? What are the symptoms of nitrogen deficiency? Let's take a look below!
1. Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency
In the process of planting figs, close attention should be paid to the tree vigor or leaves of the fig tree. If the leaves grow poorly, the color of the leaves is relatively dull, the leaves gradually develop cracks and gradually tend toward the entire leaf shape, the leaf margins begin to curl upward, and when touched by hand they feel relatively crisp and relatively coarse. Nitrogen deficiency will cause different symptoms to occur in the branches and fruits. The growth rate of the branches slows down, the roots lack nutrients, causing severe nutrient deficiency in the fruits, leaves, and branches, and finally resulting in large-scale yield reduction, which will also have a great impact on the farmers' economic interests.
2. Effects of nitrogen deficiency
Figs require relatively large amounts of nutrients, water, and fertilizer during the growth process. Although nitrogen deficiency in the early stage does not cause much harm to the tree and has little effect on root rooting and development, later on, as the duration of nitrogen deficiency increases and the degree worsens, it will hinder the root development of the fruit tree, cause root rot, and make it highly susceptible to root aphid damage, causing the branches to be unable to receive [nutrients], affecting them and leading to premature aging and cessation of growth. Nitrogen deficiency will also reduce the number of flower cluster differentiation on the tree, and the transverse diameter of the fruit will become smaller. Although the fruit will mature earlier and have better quality, nitrogen deficiency will cause the nutrients in the leaves to be transferred to the fruit, visibly fading the leaves, causing serious fruit drop and reducing yield.
3. Prevention and control methods
If topdressing is carried out immediately after discovering that the fruit tree shows signs of nitrogen deficiency, although the growth of the branches will gradually recover, the fruit will begin to turn brown and black, and fruit drop will occur. People may think this is damage from organic acids, but organic acid damage will not cause the leaves to fade; the leaf veins will bulge, and organic acid damage comes faster and more severely than nitrogen deficiency. Therefore, if nitrogen deficiency is discovered, the fig orchard should be fertilized and the soil improved, adding fully decomposed organic fertilizer or commercial organic fertilizer to the soil to increase the nutrients in the soil, because the roots are the foundation for ensuring the nutrition of the entire tree and are also the first [link] in transport. So this is the fundamental measure to solve nitrogen deficiency, along with reasonable nitrogen supplementation, to prevent the tree from being nitrogen-deficient for a long time and to meet the nutrients required by the tree.
The current fig market is very large, and the price is also very considerable, making it a relatively high-profit fruit. Therefore, everyone must pay attention during the planting process to whether the figs show symptoms of nitrogen deficiency. If they do, they must be dealt with in time, both for the final yield and for their own economic interests. However, when supplementing nitrogen fertilizer, it must not be excessive. Excessive nitrogen fertilizer will also have a certain impact on fruit trees, causing excessive nutrients in the tree body and easily leading to flower and fruit drop.