Future Orchards Trial Report 2014
Project title:
Region:
Contact person:
Project
Objective:
Fertiliser budgeting in apple orchards.
Orange, NSW
FLA: Stephen Tancred. Trial orchardist: Ross Pearce
Fertiliser budgeting is a way of comparing nutrients applied and nutrients
removed to see if the supplied amounts are adequate. When combined
with soil analysis it can point to deficits or surpluses that may affect yields
of fruit quality
This trial aimed to;
1. Compare crop removal and fertiliser applied to a high yielding Pink
Lady orchard
2. Provide guidance regarding fertilising practices, based on soil tests,
yield and crop removal.
Method:
Fruit was collected from one orchard (block 7) over two harvest seasons
(2013, 2014) and just for 2014 in block 1. Soil tests were taken in winter
2013 from the 2 blocks. Actual yields were recorded by the grower.
Fertiliser programs were recommended in conjunction with the local EE
Muirs agronomist. Soil tests were taken.
What did we learn?
1. Comparing nutrient application and removal is a useful tool.
2. The trial orchard has been under fertilised with nitrogen and potassium for the past two
years, which will be depleting soil reserves. This will eventually affect yield and quality if
fertilising rates are not increased.
Crop nutrient removal per hectare
Year of Harvest
2013
Actual Yield (t/ha)
82
65
65
Unit
Pink Lady
Block 7
Pink Lady
Block 7
Pink Lady
Block 1
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
g
g
g
g
g
g
g
g
144
66
8
6.2
5.3
3.6
486
39
59
504
59
649
314
28
75
93
6
4.8
3.9
3.8
298
10
72
422
62
154
226
1
83
77
5
3.3
3.9
2.2
259
9
46
453
55
176
120
2
Analysis
Potassium
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Calcium
Magnesium
Sulphur
Boron
Copper
Zinc
Iron
Manganese
Sodium
Aluminium
Molybdenum
2014
Potassium is the most important macro-nutrient for fruit. Low potassium leads to small, pale and
sour fruit. Because it is used in wood and leaves it should be supplied at luxury levels. The orchard
has been in potassium deficit of on too skinny a surplus for the past two seasons.
Pink Lady
Pink Lady
Block 1
Block 7
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
41
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
144
“Excess” supplied
-103
Soil status winter 2013 Low-medium Low-medium
90
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
83
83
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
75
7
“Excess” supplied
8
Potassium
Nitrogen is the most important macro-nutrient for shoots/leaves. Low nitrogen can limit growth
and is often done deliberately to control vigour. Because nitrogen is easily leached thru soil with
rain and irrigation an excess in the budget doesn’t always lead to an excess in the tree. If soil
reserves are depleted too far tree health is affected and flowers don’t set or fruitlets don’t hold.
Nitrogen
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
“Excess” supplied
Soil status winter 2013
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
“Excess” supplied
Pink Lady
Block 7
30
66
-36
Very Low
50
93
-43
Pink Lady
Block 1
Very Low
56
77
-21
Phosphorus is well supplied and there are medium soil reserves. It is being supplied with a mixed
fertiliser and if the mixed fertiliser was not used in future (in preference to less expensive straights)
then the lack of applied phosphorus will not be missed for a few seasons.
Phosphorus
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
“Excess” supplied
Soil status winter 2013
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
“Excess” supplied
Pink Lady
Block 7
17
8
9
Medium
13
6
7
Pink Lady
Block 1
Low-medium
16
5
11
Calcium is very important for fruit quality. Ample is being supplied via the ground fertilisers and
as foliar sprays.
Calcium
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
“Excess” supplied
Soil status winter 2013
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
“Excess” supplied
Pink Lady
Block 7
32
6.2
26
High
33
4.8
28
Pink Lady
Block 1
High
36
3.3
33
Magnesium is important for tree health. An excess is being supplied.
Magnesium
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
“Excess” supplied
Soil status winter 2013
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
“Excess” supplied
Pink Lady
Block 7
3.0
5.3
-2
High
5.4
3.9
1.5
Pink Lady
Block 1
High
6
3.9
2.1
Suphur is being well supplied. As soil reserves are low this should be maintained.
Sulphur
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
“Excess” supplied
Soil status winter 2013
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
“Excess” supplied
Pink Lady
Block 7
21.0
3.6
17
Low
32
3.8
28
Pink Lady
Block 1
Low
36
2.2
34
Boron is being well supplied, but as it is the most easily leached of the trace elements, and is
inexpensive and is important in calcium nutrition and the soil reserves are low it could be supplied at
greater amounts to have a safety margin.
Boron
Kg/Ha Applied 2012-13
Kg/Ha Removed 2013
“Excess” supplied
Soil status winter 2013
Kg/Ha Applied 2013-14
Kg/Ha Removed 2014
“Excess” supplied
Pink Lady
Block 7
1458
486
972
Low
450
298
152
Pink Lady
Block 1
Medium
550
259
291
Implications.
There is always a fear of over fertilising trees and getting excess shoot growth and soft fruit that
will develop storage disorders. But if high yields are aimed for then the fertiliser has to be
increased or the soil will be “mined” of its reserves. Increasing fertiliser has a cost and orchardists
are often conservative with some they have control over inputs (fertiliser and pesticides) but are
locked into some other expensive costs (labour, marketing).
How will this impact on the business?
The orchardist increased his application rate from 2013 to 2014 and plans to increase it further for
the 2015 crop. The orchardist is to install a fertigation system so fertiliser can be more efficiently
used and applied at strategic times during the growing cycle.
What will we change?
Fertiliser inputs are being increased on this farm. The application methods are being improved
(fertigation). The yields were lower in 2014 compared to 2103 due to a range of environmental
issues. If yields had been as high as the previous year then the nutrient stresses may have been
more evident and some deficiency symptoms may have been visible in leaves or fruit.
What are the road blocks/obstacles to change?
Costs and mindset have sowed the use of fertiliser in some districts, particularly orange where rich
deep soils have traditionally provided good reserves. As reserves are depleted costs will have to be
increased or yields and fruit quality will suffer.
Summary.
Nutrient budgeting was used as a tool to compare nutrients removed by the crop, the nutrients
applied with fertiliser, and the affects on soil reserves. Fruit analysis and soil tests and actual yields
were used as inputs. Some nutrients should/could be applied in greater quantities to avoid
nutrient stress developing. These include potassium, nitrogen and boron. The orchardist has
increased fertiliser rates and plans to increase them more in 2014-15. Fertigation is to be used in
future to better target the placement of fertilisers (close to the roots) and the timing.