Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Fertilization and Water Management Techniques for Apricot Trees
I. Fertilization In the first year after planting, young trees are fertilized with light, frequent applications in order to rapidly expand the canopy and form a certain number of flower buds. The first fertilization is applied when the trees sprout after planting, after which a topdressing is applied once every 15-20 days, mainly with urea, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and organic fertilizer. Topdressing is stopped in early July, with appropriate water control...
I. Fertilization
In the first year after planting, young trees are fertilized with light, frequent applications in order to rapidly expand the canopy and form a certain number of flower buds. The first fertilization is applied when the trees sprout after planting, after which a topdressing is applied once every 15-20 days, mainly with urea, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and organic fertilizer. Topdressing is stopped in early July, along with appropriate water control, to promote flower formation. In early October, a base fertilizer is applied, mainly consisting of organic fertilizer and phosphorus fertilizer. In the second year, topdressing is applied once each in late February, mid-April, and late June, with nitrogen fertilizer combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and a base fertilizer is applied in early October.
Foliar fertilization allows fertilizer to be directly absorbed and utilized, saving fertilizer and water, with quick results, and can be applied together with pesticide spraying for pest and disease control. Generally, after petal fall, a 0.2%-0.4% urea solution or a 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution is sprayed several times; a 0.1%-0.2% borax solution and other trace elements can also be sprayed during the flowering period.
II. Irrigation and Drainage
Apricot trees should be irrigated more intensively in areas with low rainfall and during dry seasons. The first irrigation is carried out before bud break together with spring fertilization, which ensures the needs of flowering, fruit set, and new shoot growth; this irrigation should be relatively heavy. The second irrigation is at the pit-hardening stage (about 1 month after petal fall), when water demand is relatively high; combined with spring drought, attention should be paid to watering. The third irrigation is carried out after fruit harvest together with fertilization, to promote the growth of branches and leaves and flower bud differentiation. In addition, from April to August, covering the tree disk and between rows with crop straw and weeds helps retain moisture and increase soil fertility. Apricot trees are not tolerant of waterlogging, so attention should be paid to drainage during the rainy season, especially during the flower bud differentiation period in July-August, when drainage should be timely to maintain appropriate drought conditions, which is conducive to flower bud differentiation.