Apple nutrient requirements

Apple nutrient requirements vary depending on the crop growth stage. Find out which nutrients are most important at different growth stages.

Bud Burst - Start of Flowering

apple bud

  • Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium – promote strong early growth of new plant tissues and maximum tree productivity
  • Phosphorus – maximize root development and flower cluster formation
  • Calcium – boost root and leaf growth and high yields
  • Boron – maximize pollination and strong flower development
  • Manganese – to maximize tissue growth
  • Zinc – to optimize bud burst and early leaf development

Fruit Set - Fruitlet

apple

  • Nitrogen – in reduced amounts to maintain fruit fill
  • Potassium – minimize fruit disorders
  • Phosphorus – fruit set and development
  • Calcium – maintain good fruit quality and minimize fruit disorders
  • Magnesium – for reduced fruit drop
  • Boron – improve fruit set

Fruit Fill - Maturity

apples

  • Nitrogen – in reduced amounts to maintain fruit fill and high sugars (excess can lead to rots and quality deterioration)
  • Potassium – maximize fruit weight, TSS levels in the fruit and minimize disorders and sunscald (but at levels that don’t compete with calcium)
  • Calcium – maintain good fruit firmness and storage quality
  • Manganese – alongside Phosphorus will promote fruit coloration

Post Harvest

post harvest

  • Nitrogen and Potassium – boost reserves for next season’s early growth
  • Phosphorus – maximize bud development and early rooting and new tissue growth in the following spring
  • Calcium – maintain high levels in the tree
  • Magnesium, Boron, and Zinc – replenish reserves and strengthen new buds

Recommended fertilisers for apples

Apple fertiliser and crop nutrition advice
Apple fertiliser and crop nutrition advice

Looking for even more information ...

If you would like more information and would like to speak to a fruit specialist or one of our area managers or agronomists please find all their contact details here.

Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist

 

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