Back to Search Start Over

Nitrogen fertilization rates in a subtropical peach orchard: effects on tree vigor and fruit quality.

Authors :
Rubio Ames Z
Brecht JK
Olmstead MA
Source :
Journal of the science of food and agriculture [J Sci Food Agric] 2020 Jan 30; Vol. 100 (2), pp. 527-539. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Nov 21.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Background: Nitrogen is a key component of crop production and is commonly related to increases in yield and fruit size. The N fertilization rates used for low-chill peach cultivars were adapted from other peach production regions, where environmental and soil conditions are different. The growth and production as well as the effect on fruit physical and compositional attributes of two low-chill peach cultivars - 'TropicBeauty' (TB) and 'UFSharp' (UFS) - with five different N fertilization rates (0 (N0), 45 (N1), 90 (N2), 179 (N3) and 269 (N4) kg ha <superscript>-1</superscript> applied each year from 2011 to 2017) were examined.<br />Results: Peach trees under higher N rates had higher pruning weights compared to the lower N0 or N1 rates. Yield was only affected in 2017 for the two cultivars tested. Physical attributes were inconsistently affected by N. Fruit from the higher N rates had lower a* value (more green) than fruit from the trees under low or zero N. While fruit firmness was not affected by N, fruit from trees under zero/low N had higher total soluble solids in some years.<br />Conclusion: Considering that N is recycled in the trees, being retained and reused each season to resume growth, it is important to address peach orchard fertilization based on peach tree N status. The results of this experiment show that an increase in N beyond what is required for tree maintenance does not increase yield. In addition, reducing N does not strongly affect fruit quality, although the color and soluble solids results suggest that lower N rates may advance fruit maturation. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.<br /> (© 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1097-0010
Volume :
100
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of the science of food and agriculture
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
31512240
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10031