Response of Mature Phosphorus-Deficient Apple Trees to Phosphorus Fertilization and Liming

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine response of mature phosphorus (P) deficient apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees to phosphorus fertilization and liming. The experiment was carried out during 2003-2005 in a commercial orchard in Central Poland on 'Jonagold' apple trees/M.26 planted in 1996 on a coarse-textured soil with low both pH (4.6) and organic matter (1.2%). Calcium-lactate soluble phosphorus concentration in the soil was within an optimal range despite appearance of leaf phosphorus deficiency symptoms. Soil and foliar applications of phosphorus, and soil liming were applied. Soil phosphorus fertilization was made in the first year of the experimental at a rate of 100 kg P per ha as triple superphosphate. Foliar sprays of a soluble compound containing organic phosphorus were performed 5 times per season at 2-week intervals, starting 4 weeks after full bloom. Soil liming was applied in the fall 2002 at a rate of 1100 kg Ca ha −1 as hydrated lime. Additional combination as soil phosphorus fertilization plus liming was also applied. Plots unsupplied with phosphorus and lime served as a control. The results showed that liming and liming plus soil P application increased soil pH, and phosphatase activity in the soil, and improved phosphorus nutrition, tree vigor, yield, fruit color, and firmness after storage; effect of these treatments was not found only in the first year of the study. In all years foliar phosphorus sprays improved phosphorus nutrition of apple trees, and fruit color and firmness after storage. In 2 out of 3 years foliar phosphorus application increased yield. The vegetative and reproductive responses of 'Jonagold' apple trees did not depend on soil phosphorus fertilization. It was concluded that maintaining an optimal pH of soils for apple trees limits the incidence of orchard phosphorus deficiency and that foliar phosphorus sprays should be applied in phosphorus-deficient apple orchards to improve yield, and fruit appearance and storability.

Influence of Phostrade Ca on Color Development and Anthocyanin Content of ‘Braeburn’ Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.)

“…4). The measured values were similar to those in 'Jonagold' apple leaves reported by Wojcik and Wojcik (2007). The foliar application of the Pho Ca significantly increased the amount of P in the leaves of the treated apples.…”

“…1). The improvement in the apple skin color as a result of foliar sprays of P-containing compounds has also been documented in several apple cultivars, including 'Starking Delicious' (Gómez-Cordovés et al, 1996;Larrigaudiere et al, 1996), 'Fuji' (Li et al, 2002), 'Elstar' (Funke and Blanke, 2006), and 'Jonagold' (Wojcik and Wojcik, 2007). In the first three cited studies, the positive effect of foliar P applications on the fruit color was related to increased skin anthocyanin concentration, whereas in the studies of Funke and Blanke (2006) and Wojcik and Wojcik (2007), the apple color improvement was evaluated with the percentage of red blush.…”

Foliar Application of Phosphorus Improves Apple Fruit Color During Ripening

“…I). A positive infl uence of phosphorus and calcium on apple color has been reported in diff erent cultivars, such as 'Starking Delicious' (Gomez-Cordoves et al, 1996;Larrigaudiere et al, 1996), 'Fuji' (Li et al, 2002), 'Elstar' (Funke and Blanke, 2006) and 'Jonagold' (Wojcik and Wojcik, 2007). Our results of Phostrade Ca sprayings on anthocyanin synthesis are comparable to the results of Li et al (2002), who reported improved red skin color and an increase in fl avonoid content in apples, sprayed with Senifos (a mixture of P, K and N).…”

Quality of ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples influenced by long-term annual addition of phosphorus to the soil

“…Conversely, the content of P in the apple fruit affects many physical and chemical attributes related to fruit quality and conservation such as reductions in incidence of water core at harvest, increased resistance to browning, elevated antioxidant content of fruit (NEILSEN et al, 2008), and increased fruit appearance and storability (WOJCIK & WOJCIK, 2007). In addition, spraying apple trees with P increased the contents of this nutrient in the fruit and decreased the loss of flesh firmness (WEBSTER & LIDSTER, 1986) and the susceptibility caused by low temperatures (JOHNSON & YOGORATNAM, 1978).…”