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 |
AN |
||||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
