Fertilization of apricots

Haifa's fertilizers provide the crop requirements, which concludes in better yield

Soil type: light to medium, good drainage, pH 6-8.
Annual irrigation rate: ~6,000 m3/ha.
Plant Population: 400-600 trees/ha.
Expected yield: 35 t/ha.

Fertigation: Recommended rates of nutrients and fertilizers

Month

Crop requirements (kg/ha)

Recommended Fertilizers (kg/ha)

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

Multi-K

MAP

AN

Magnisal

March

5

10 

5

0

11

16

5

0

April

15

15

30

5

65

25

0

32

May

20

15

40

5

87

25

7

32

June

27

10

50

15

110

16

0

95

July

30

5

60

15

130

8

5

95

August

30

5

50

10

105

8

25

63

September

6

5

5

5

11

8

0

31

Total annual

133

65

240

55

520

106

42

348

Multi K – Potassium nitrate (13-0-46)
MAP – mono-ammonium phosphate (0-61-0)
Amm. Nit – Ammonium Nitrate (34-0-0)
Magnisal – Magnesium nitrate (10.8-0-0-15.8)

 

A general guideline for splitting K application in fertigation programs for apricots

Growth stage

Share of K2O at stage (%)

Recommended rate
(kg/ha of K2O)

Leaf emergence

15

23

Flowering

20

30

Fruit-set

25

37

Fruit growth

25

37

Fruit maturation

15

23

Total

100

150

 

Macro elements removed by 1 ton marketable product

Source: Kinoch: VOLHOUBARE LANDBOU, RSA. Processed by Frans Lourens, Haifa ,RSA May, 1999.

Recommended rates of major nutrients (% of dry weight)*

N

P

K

Mg

Mn

3.2-3.5

0.12-0.15

1.8-2.2

.050

40-60ppm

Rating of K levels in apricot leaves (% in DM) in mid-July, Hungary*

Very low

Low

Medium

Favorable

Optimum

>1.2

1.21 – 1.60

1.61 – 2.00

2.01 – 2.60

2.61 – 3.2

Potassium deficiency symptoms*
Leaves are: yellow-greenish in color, smaller, fewer, folded up along the main leaf-vein boat-like. In extreme situations leaf edges show necrosis.
*Source: Several papers by Szucs E. (i.e. Acta Horticulturae, 192, 1985, pp. 137-141).

 

In South Africa

Average yield of apricot - 25 tons/ha.

Regular foliar applications of Multi-K have increased yield to 60 tons/ha.

Timing of application

Multi-K, side dressing (kg/ha)

Multi-K, foliar application

8 weeks before harvest

100

-

4 weeks before harvest

100

-

2 weeks before harvest

-

1%

Special treatments to increase fruit size in South Africa

Timing of Application

Multi-K, side dressing (kg/ha)

Multi-K, foliar application

8 weeks before harvest

100

-

4 weeks before harvest

100

-

2 weeks before harvest

-

1%

Foliar feeding

Fall is an excellent season to prepare the tree to next season requirements in N, K and Fe. As long as foliage is green and active it will readily absorb these nutrients applied by foliar sprays.

 

Plant analysis guide

Nutrient sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)

Apricots

N

S

P

K

Mg

Ca

Na

B

Zn

Mn

Fe

Cu

------------------ % -------------------

---------- ppm -----------

From

2.00

0.15

0.20

2.50

0.60

3.00

0.01

25

20

35

100

6

To

3.00

0.30

0.40

3.50

0.90

4.50

0.10

50

60

100

200

30

Plant tissue sampling procedures:

Stage of growth Plant Part
Five to eight weeks after full bloom 4 to 8 leaves from spurs or near base of current season’s growth

 

Need more information about growing apricots? You can always return to the apricot fertilizer.