Effects of N-fertilization and rootstocks on the performance of ‘Red Delicious’ Spur apple trees

Abstract

In a field trial with the Spur variety Super Chief® Sandidge, three different levels of nitrogen supply (50, 100, 150 kg ha(-1)) in combination with 3 rootstocks (M9 at 8333 trees ha(-1), M26 at 5555 trees ha(-1) and Pi80 at 4166 trees ha(-1)) were compared with respect to soil nitrogen dynamics, leaf nutrient levels, tree vigour and yield. The experimental orchard was planted in 2007 and the trial lasted until 2014. The data collected in this period revealed no significant effect of nitrogen levels above 50 kg ha(-1) year-1 on tree vigour and fruit yield, whereas clear differences emerge with respect to the different planting systems (rootstock/planting density). The observed soil nitrogen dynamics indicate that a considerable amount of mineral nitrogen may be lost by leaching from the very permeable soil at the site of the experiment, in particular in the case of high fertilizer applications and humid climatic conditions. Leaf nitrogen contents were not significantly affected by fertilizer rates.