-26- 



Prompt application o£ B and Zn sprays usually enables such 

 trees to recover before dieback occurs. Left untreated, however, 

 the same trees may lose a high percentage of terminal shoots 

 and leaders, with the damage extending considerable distances 

 back into older wood. As is the case with deficiencies of most 

 micro-nutrients, this type of injury may be evident only on some 

 branches and not as a general condition throughout the tree. 



Summary 



The nutritional status of an orchard should be evaluated by 

 thoroughly analyzing soil test results, leaf sample analysis and 

 observations of tree performance on a block to block basis. 

 Varietal, cultural, soil and weather factors must be considered. 

 After this has been done, a preventive fertilizer program can 

 be developed and applied. This approach should minimize the 

 adverse effects of nutrient shortages and optimize the production 

 of high-quality fruit. 



