From recommended rates of nutrients and fertilizers to base dressing recommendations – Haifa's fertilization program covers it all
Countries: Benelux & Germany.
Soil type: Sandy loam- clay.
Plant population: 3000 trees/Ha.
Expected yield: 40 T/Ha.
Recommended average rates of nutrients
(The fertilization program should be adapted according to soil analysis.)
| N | P2O5 | K2O |
|---|---|---|
| ---------------Kg/Ha-------------- | ||
| 75-100 | 30-50 | 150-200 |
Base-Dressing
| Nutrient demand | Recommended fertilizers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | P2O5 | K2O | CAN | TSP | KCl or Patentkali |
| 50 | 30 | 80 | 200 | 100 | 200-300 |
Side dressing
| Nutrient demand | Recommended fertilizers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N | P2O5 | K2O | Multi-KMg | |
| Growth stages | Kg/Ha | Kg/Ha | ||
| 6 weeks after flowering | 25 | 0 | 80 | 200 |
Foliar feeding program
| Stage | Dose rate (Kg/Ha) | No. of applications | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | Multi-K: 5-10 | 2 | To improve bud quality |
| June - August | Multi-K: 5-10 | 6 | |
| 6 weeks after flowering | MAP/ MKP: 5-10 | 3-4 | Till harvest |
| Post blossom | Magnisal: 2.5-5 | 3-4 | Till harvest |
| After harvest | MAP: 5-10 | 2 | To build up reserves |
General remarks:
- Final rate and number of applications should be determined according to leaf analysis.
- MAP or MKP should be selected according to N level in leaf analysis.
- Do not spray fertilizers 2-3 weeks after flowering to avoid scorching problems.
Fertilization of pears in Spain
Soil type: light to medium, good drainage, pH 6.5 - 8.
Annual irrigation rate: ~6,000 m3/ha.
Plant population: 400-600 plants/ha.
Expected yield: 45 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 | |
| Total annual | 140 | 70 | 185 | 55 | 520 | 114 | 106 | 273 |
| March | 15 | 10 | 20 | 0 | 44 | 16 | 22 | 0 |
| April | 20 | 15 | 30 | 5 | 65 | 25 | 14 | 32 |
| May | 32 | 20 | 40 | 5 | 87 | 33 | 0 | 32 |
| June | 35 | 10 | 40 | 10 | 87 | 16 | 45 | 63 |
| July | 20 | 5 | 35 | 10 | 76 | 8 | 7 | 63 |
| August | 6 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| September | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 32 |
| October | 10 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 22 | 8 | 18 | 0 |
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 pears
| Growth stage | Share of K2O at stage (%) | Recommended rate (kg/ha of K2O) |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 100 | 100 |
| Leaf emergence | 15 | 15 |
| Flowering | 20 | 20 |
| Fruit-set | 25 | 25 |
| Fruit growth | 25 | 25 |
| Fruit maturation | 15 | 15 |
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.
Recommended rates of major nutrients (% of dry weight)
| N | P | K | Mg | Mn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4-2.0 | 0.12 | 1.2-1.3 | 0.30-0.35 | 30-50 ppm |
Plant analysis guide
Nutrient sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)
| Pears | N | S | P | K | Mg | Ca | Na | B | Zn | Mn | Fe | Cu | Al | Mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ------------------ % ------------------- | ---------- p.p.m ----------- | |||||||||||||
| From | 2.00 | 0.15 | 0.15 | 1.25 | 0.25 | 1.30 | 0.01 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 60 | 10 | ||
| To | 3.00 | 0.40 | 0.50 | 2.25 | 0.50 | 2.00 | 0.15 | 70 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 25 | ||
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 |
Pears – Mineral foliar analysis values
| Nutrient | Average value | Critical level |
|---|---|---|
| (%) | ||
| N | 2.40 | |
| S | ||
| P | 0.25 | |
| K | 2.00 | |
| Mg | 0.60 | |
| Ca | 1.90 | |
| Na | ||
| (ppm) | ||
| Fe | ||
| Al | ||
| Mn | ||
| B | 47 | |
| Cu | 40 | |
| Zn | 60 | |
| Mo | ||
Base dressing recommendations (kg/hectare)
| N | P2O5 | K2O | CaO | MgO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | 99 | 45 | 60 | 20 |
Source: recommendations of Agro-Nutrientes Especiales (ANE). (February,2000)
Breaking winter dormancy
The saving resulting from combining Multi-K with Dormex for breaking winter dormancy can come to $US 550 /Ha, as illustrated below.
| Treatment details | Spraying costs of 5% Alzodef. (Dormex) | Spraying costs of 2% Alzodef (Dormex) + 6% Multi-K |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 Liter/ha with 0.025% surfactant | app. 1000 $US/Ha | app. 450 $US/Ha |
Need more information about growing pears? You can always return to the pear fertilizer .
