1970 GUIDE TO ORCHARD FERTILIZATION 



Department 



William J . Lord 

 of Plant and Soil 



Sciences 



Table 1. Desirable mineral content of leaves from bearing Mcintosh 

 apple trees expressed as percentage dry weight. 



Nitrogen (N) 



Potassium CK) 



Calcium (Ca) 



Magnesium (Mg) 



1 .80 - 2.00 



1 .25 - 1 .60 



0.90 



1 .40 



0.25 - 0.40 



Application rate : In the past, we have suggested the following 

 rates for normal applications to bearing apple trees as a guide in 

 maintaining nutritional standards (Table 2). These suggestions 

 should be adjusted according to the tree vigor and productiveness 

 and fruit color, as experience indicates. 



Table 2. Normal rates of fertilizer for bearing apple orchards. 



Approximate amounts per tree 



Potential bu. Nitrogen Potash Ammonium Muriate 



yield of tree required required nitrate of potash or 0-15-30 8-16-16 



Pounds Pounds Pounds Pounds Pounds Pounds 



4.3 8 

 4.3-6.6 8-12 

 9.0-14.3 16-25 



Appl i cation: The suggested amounts in Table 2 ai^e for hand applica^ 

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

 broadcast over the entire orchard floor, it may be necessary to in- 

 crease the rate of application in order to obtain the same tree re- 

 sponse as with the hand applications. Fertilizer materials other 



