What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertigation concentrations and application timings on tree nutrition, yield, and fruit quality across five apple cultivars in a high-density orchard over six fruiting seasons.

August 1, 2009HortScienceOpen Access

Nitrogen Fertigation Concentration and Timing of Application Affect Nitrogen Nutrition, Yield, Firmness, and Color of Apples Grown at High Density

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Authors

GNGerry NeilsenAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada DND. NeilsenAgriculture and Agri-Food Canada LHLinda Herbert

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Implication

Randomized split-plot experiment demonstrates that higher nitrogen fertigation rates lower fruit firmness and red color across five apple cultivars, suggesting caution with high nitrogen inputs.

Key Points

To evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertigation concentrations and application timings on tree nutrition, yield, and fruit quality across five apple cultivars in a high-density orchard over six fruiting seasons.
A randomized complete block, split-plot experiment with six replicates was conducted from 1999 to 2004 in a high-density orchard on M.9 rootstock.
Main plots tested a factorial combination of two daily nitrogen rates (28 mg N/L vs. 168 mg N/L) across three 4-week application windows (0–4, 4–8, or 8–12 weeks after full bloom).
Subplots evaluated responses across five cultivars: Ambrosia, Cameo, Fuji, Gala, and Silken.
Higher nitrogen inputs increased midsummer leaf and harvested fruit nitrogen concentrations across all cultivars, but reduced fruit firmness and decreased percent red color during heavy crop years.
Annual yield increased with higher nitrogen rates in only a single year, resulting in no significant differences in cumulative yields across rates or timings.
Application timing within 12 weeks of full bloom altered leaf and fruit tissue nitrogen concentrations (fertigation at 4–12 weeks increased fruit nitrogen) without altering cumulative yield, firmness, or red color.

Cite This Study

Neilsen et al. (2009) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a81d64bf453150ffdd824c6 https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.44.5.1425

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Implication

Randomized split-plot experiment demonstrates that higher nitrogen fertigation rates lower fruit firmness and red color across five apple cultivars, suggesting caution with high nitrogen inputs.

Nitrogen Fertigation Concentration and Timing of Application Affect Nitrogen Nutrition, Yield, Firmness, and Color of Apples Grown at High Density

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Nitrogen Fertigation Concentration and Timing of Application Affect Nitrogen Nutrition, Yield, Firmness, and Color of Apples Grown at High Density

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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