-9- 



Suggested Rates of Fertilizer for Bearing Apple Orcliards 

 Approximate Amounts per Tree 



Potential bushel 

 yield of tree 



Less than 15 

 15 - 25 



More than 25 



Nitrogen 

 required 



Pounds 



0.G6 

 0.66-1.00 

 1.33-2.00 



Potash 

 required 



Pounds 



1.3 



1.3-2.0 

 2.7-4.3 



Ammonium 

 Nitrate 



Pounds 



2.0 

 2.0-3.0 

 4.0-6.0 



Muriate 



of Potash or 0-15-30 



Pounds 



2.1 

 2.1-3.3 

 4.5-7.1 



Pounds 



4.3 

 4.3-6.6 

 9.0-14.3 



8-16-16 



Pounds 



8 

 8-12 

 16 - 25 



The suggested amounts of materials to apply in the table are for band applica- 

 tions under the spread of the branches. When the materials are broadcast over the 

 entire orchard floor it may be necessary to increase the rate of application in 

 order to obtain the same tree response as with the band applications. Fertilizer 

 materials other than those given in the tables may be used so long as they are 

 applied at rates which provide equivalent amounts of nitrogen and potassium. 



The tree's magnesium and calcium requirements can best be met by maintaining 

 an adequate doloraitic liming program. The pH of orcliard soils should be maintained 

 between 6 and 6.5. If a soil test shows that the pH of the soil is 5.5 or below, 

 magnesium sulfate sprays should be applied to prevent possible occurence of mag- 

 nesium deficiency. It takes from 3 to 5 years before dolomitic limestone is 

 effective in correcting magnesium deficiency. V/hen magnesium sulfate sprays are 

 used apply 2 to 3 sprays of epsom salts at the rate of 20 pounds per 100 gallons 

 of water. These sprays should be timed by calyx, first, and second cover sprays. 

 To avoid possible incompatibilities the epsom salt sprays should not be combined 

 with the regular insecticidal and fungicial sprays. 



Boron should be applied to orchard soils every three years. Borax is the 

 most common material used. The rates of application per tree vary with age and 

 size. Apply one quarter pound of borax to young trees, one-half to three- 

 quarters pound to medium age and size trees, and three-quarters to one pound to 

 large or mature trees. In no case should the rate of one application of borax 

 exceed 50 pounds per acre. Boron may be applied as a foliar spray on a trial 

 basis. Polybor-2 or Bore Spray applied at 1/2 pound per 100 gallons of spray 

 one and three weeks after petal fall have given satisfactory results in New 

 York State. 



The amounts of fertilizer applied to trees which have received annual 

 applications of 200 pounds or more of hay mulch per tree may be materially re- 

 duced or entirely eliminated. Tree performance should serve as a guide in de- 

 termining the extent to which the rates of fertilizer may be reduced. 



In young non-bearing orchards it may be possible to produce sufficient high 

 quality mulching material for the young trees by broadcasting 500 to 800 pounds 

 of mixed fertilizer per acre. Place the mulch in a band under the spread of the 

 branches. The amount of fertilizer required for the trees with this system of 

 culture will vary with the quantity and quality of mulch applied around each tree. 

 If the trees are not making sufficient growth one-eighth pound of ammonium nitrate 

 per year of tree age may be applied to the mulch. 



