What are the fertilizer requirements of the loquat tree?
What are the fertilizer requirements of the loquat tree? How should the loquat tree be fertilized reasonably? We also ask knowledgeable netizens to help explain. Reasonable fertilization can give the loquat tree a bumper harvest, so Zhongdi Network has compiled the fertilization methods for the loquat tree, listed in detail below for netizens' reference. 1. The fertilizer requirement principles of the loquat tree: ...
What are the fertilizer requirements of the loquat tree? How should the loquat tree be fertilized reasonably? We also ask knowledgeable netizens to help explainReasonable fertilization can give the loquat tree a bumper harvest, so Zhongdi Network has compiled the fertilization methods for the loquat tree, listed in detail below for netizens' reference.
1. The fertilizer requirement principles of the loquat tree:
The loquat tree is a plant with a high potassium requirement; the potassium content of loquat fruit is almost 3 times that of nitrogen. With too much nitrogen fertilizer, the fruit is large, but both color and flavor are strong, and the appearance and quality are poor; if there is too much potassium fertilizer, the sugar content of the fruit increases, but the flesh is coarse and hard. Therefore, the various fertilizer elements should be properly combined.
2. The fertilization timing for the loquat tree:
1. For young loquat trees, fertilizer should be applied 5-6 times a year, using the method of light fertilizer applied frequently, roughly once every two months. Apply 15-25 kg of decomposed dilute human (pig) manure and urine (at a concentration of 20%-30%) per tree, or 150-250 g of imported compound fertilizer.
2. Fertilization timing for fruiting loquat trees:
The first fertilization is applied in May-June. It mainly replenishes the nutrients consumed by fruiting, restores tree vigor, promotes the vigorous sprouting of summer shoots, and promotes good root growth and flower bud differentiation. It is mainly based on quick-acting fertilizer, combined with deep plowing, and a large amount of decomposed organic fertilizer is applied. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer applied is generally 3:2:2. The fertilization amount accounts for about 40%-50% of the annual fertilization amount. For late-maturing varieties, it can be moved earlier to before fruit harvest. Taking a tree producing 35 kg of loquat fruit as an example, each loquat tree should be given 0.75-1.0 kg of imported compound fertilizer and 10-12 kg of chicken manure.
The second fertilization is in September-October, when autumn flower bud differentiation has basically ended and flower spikes begin to appear, to provide the nutrients needed for flowering and fruiting and for the sprouting of vegetative autumn shoots, to promote good flowering and improve the cold resistance of the plant. It is mainly based on organic fertilizer. The ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is generally 5:4:5. The fertilization amount accounts for about 30%-40% of the annual fertilization amount. Apply 10-13 kg of chicken manure per tree.
The third fertilization is applied in February-March after fruit thinning. The role of this fertilization is to promote the growth of spring shoots and roots, supply the nutrients needed for the growth of young fruit, promote the growth of young fruit, reduce fruit drop, and promote and plump up the spring shoots. Quick-acting fertilizer combined with compound fertilizer is applied, and the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer is generally 3:4:3. If there is more phosphorus fertilizer in the soil, or if the amount of fruit set at that time is relatively small, the proportion of phosphorus fertilizer can be reduced. If the tree vigor is not strong, increase the proportion of nitrogen fertilizer.
The fertilization amount accounts for about 20% of the annual fertilization amount. Apply 30-50 kg of decomposed dilute human manure and urine per tree, plus 0.3-0.6 kg of imported compound fertilizer and 0.25-0.5 kg of potassium fertilizer. February is the period with the largest root growth of the year, so the fertilization depth should be shallow to avoid damaging the roots.
Foliar fertilization: when the loquat tree bears a lot of fruit, spray foliar fertilizer solution 2-3 times before the rapid fruit expansion period (0.2%-0.4% monopotassium phosphate, 0.2-0.4% urea and 0.2-0.3% potassium sulfate), spraying once every 10 days.
3. Fertilization methods for the loquat tree:
1. Ring fertilization method: dig a ring-shaped trench slightly outside the outer edge of the loquat tree canopy, apply the fertilizer into it, and then cover with soil. The trench for base fertilizer should be deeper, 40-50 cm; the trench for topdressing should be shallower, 15-30 cm. The fertilization trench should be moved outward year by year.
This fertilization method has the advantages of simple operation and economical fertilizer use. However, it easily cuts some faster-growing horizontal roots, and the fertilization range is relatively small; this should be noted when choosing it.
2. Plate fertilization method: with the main trunk of the loquat tree as the center, rake the soil open into a circular plate shape. The part near the main trunk is shallow, and the farther from the main trunk, the deeper it is. There is also the practice of making only a flat-bottomed fertilization plate. The raked-out soil is piled around the outside of the plate to form a soil ridge edge.
After fertilization, cover with soil again. Because this method applies fertilizer relatively shallowly, water easily damages the roots, so it is suitable for topdressing. But long-term use of this fertilization method will cause the loquat tree roots to move upward.
3. Radiating trench fertilization method: with the loquat tree trunk as the center, at 60-80 cm from the trunk, dig 6-8 radiating strip trenches outward, 20-30 cm deep, and apply fertilizer in the trenches. Change the trench positions every other year or every other application to increase the absorption surface of the loquat tree root system.
This method damages fewer roots; if combined with ring fertilization, the fertilization effect is better. But when digging trenches, avoid the large roots so as not to damage them.
4. Strip trench fertilization method: open strip trenches on both sides of the drip line of the loquat tree canopy, or open strip trenches between rows or between plants in the loquat orchard. The trench for base fertilizer should be deeper, 50-60 cm; the trench for topdressing should be shallower, 15-30 cm. Then apply the fertilizer into the strip trenches and cover with soil.
The next time fertilizer is applied, the other two sides can be used instead, moving outward year by year, combined with deep plowing, to mature the soil. This is a relatively good fertilization method.
5. Whole-orchard fertilization method: for adult loquat orchards, the loquat tree root system has already spread throughout the whole orchard, so fertilizer can be evenly scattered over the whole orchard and then turned into the soil. If whole-orchard fertilization is combined with strip fertilization or radiating trench fertilization, the fertilizer effect can be better brought into play. This method applies fertilizer relatively shallowly and easily causes the loquat root system to move upward.
6. Foliar spraying method: foliar topdressing is a method of dissolving fertilizer in water and spraying it directly onto the loquat tree leaves, so that the leaves directly absorb and utilize the nutrient elements. The foliar topdressing method is simple and easy to carry out, uses a small amount of fertilizer, and is absorbed and utilized quickly. Foliar topdressing plays an important role in preserving flowers and fruit, promoting fruit development, improving quality, correcting nutrient deficiency symptoms, improving fertilizer efficiency (preventing chemical or biological fixation in the soil), and regulating the vigor of the loquat tree.
But foliar topdressing has a short duration of action and can only play an auxiliary role; it cannot completely replace soil fertilization.
Leaves are the center of the physiological and biochemical activities of the loquat tree. The stomata and cuticle on the leaves have the ability to absorb nutrients. During the growing period, the underside of young leaves has a stronger ability to absorb nutrients.
Usually the leaves absorb nutrients just like the roots: under acidic conditions, anions are easily absorbed, while under alkaline conditions, cations are easily absorbed. The trace elements used in foliar topdressing are mostly simple fertilizers. When foliar topdressing is carried out in spring, the concentration can be slightly higher; when carried out in the high-temperature and dry seasons of summer and autumn, the concentration should be appropriately lower to avoid fertilizer damage.
When multiple fertilizers are mixed for use, the suitable concentration should be reduced proportionally. In addition, foliar topdressing can also be carried out together with pesticide spraying for pest and disease control, but attention must be paid to the acidity and alkalinity of the fertilizer types and pesticide types; acidic and alkaline ones cannot be mixed.
7. Drip irrigation fertilization method: the drip irrigation fertilization method is also an advanced fertilization and irrigation technique. It has the advantages of timely fertilizer supply, uniform fertilizer distribution, no root damage, protection of soil structure, less labor, and a small amount of fertilizer used. However, at present there are generally problems in production such as water quality failing to meet requirements and emitters being easily clogged. Further technical improvement is needed before it can be widely used in production.
Methods to Make the Loquat Tree Bear More Fruit
Loquat Flower Thinning Methods