Nitrogen fertilization in consecutive cycles and its impact on high-density peach crops

Letícia Vanni Ferreira,Ivan Dos Santos Pereira,Luciano Picolotto,Juliano Dutra Schmitz,Luis Eduardo Corrêa Antunes

doi:10.1590/s0100-204x2018000200005

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the mineral composition of leaves, initial growth, and yield of peach (Prunus persica) tree advanced selections grown at a high-planting density. The experiment was carried out between 2012 and 2015 in a randomized complete block design, with a combination of advanced selections of the 'Cascata 1513' and 'Cascata 1067' peach trees and of N fertilization doses (0, 30, 60, and 120 kg ha-1 N). Green weight after pruning, diameter, and increase of trunk diameter, canopy volume, plant height, branch length, number of buds per centimeter of shoot, chlorophyll index, leaf area, rust incidence, average production, number of fruit, and mass of fruit were evaluated. Genotype affects the vegetative growth and productive performance of peach trees. The application of N to dense peach orchards promotes a greater vegetative growth of the plants and increases the content of the nutrient in leaves. The initial production is affected by N fertilization. The recommendation of N fertilization made to date is insufficient for peach trees at high-density management systems of production.

Highlights

Orchard nutrition is a major factor affecting productivity and requires a balanced nutrient supply that should be achieved by fertilizer supplementation (Amorim et al, 2015)
The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the mineral composition of leaves, initial growth, and yield of peach tree advanced selections grown at a high-planting density
The 'Capdeboscq' rootstock was used for grafting the scions 'Cascata 1513' and 'Cascata 1067' – which are advanced selections of the genetic improvement program of Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (Embrapa) Clima Temperado, both of which have the potential to be marketed because of their intense red color that is appealing to consumers

Summary

Introduction

Orchard nutrition is a major factor affecting productivity and requires a balanced nutrient supply that should be achieved by fertilizer supplementation (Amorim et al, 2015). During the last decade, planting density went from being low (400–700 plants per hectare) to high, reaching between 1,000 and 1,500 plants per hectare (Loreti & Massai, 2006). Low and medium densities of peach tree planting are still predominant worldwide, higher‐planting density is a trend in countries such as Slovenia, Italy, South Africa, and United States, with more than 1,300 plants per hectare (Loreti & Massai, 2002, 2006; Marini & Reighard, 2008). One of the effects of high‐density planting is a greater competition for nutrients among plants, which affects fertilizer requirements and application recommendations

Objectives

Methods

Results