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Nutrient Management in Orchards

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural and Floricultural Crops".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 17289

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Prof. Dr. Yuanmao Jiang

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College of Horticulture Science and Engineering, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
Interests: deciduous fruit; nutrition physiology; nutrient management; nitrogen uptake and metabolism; nitrogen-carbon interac-tion; green production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Under multiple pressures, such as global resource depletion and environmental deterioration, ensuring and improving fruit production and avoiding resource and environmental problems caused by fertilization has become a hot worldwide issue. This Special Issue focuses on “Nutrient Management in Orchards”, which is important for promoting a rapid exchange of research results, experiences, and ideas within the scientific community and among professionals working in this stimulating and relevant research field, both from an agronomic and an economic perspective. In addition to the specific scientific target, we would like to transfer updated and practically relevant results to farmers, SMEs, policy makers, and related end-users working on fruit production. To do this, we will try to select the most sound, innovative, and clear papers, ranging from nutrient demand characteristics to the key role of nutrient management for regulating soil–root–yield and quality to reaching sustainability themes. Research on the impact of management on physiological metabolism, abiotic stresses, nutrient interaction, resource utilization, climate change, and soil fertility is welcome. All these aspects should be taken into account for future orchard nutrient management strategies, based on the principles of efficient utilization of nutrient resources and aimed at ameliorating ecosystem services.

Prof. Dr. Yuanmao Jiang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

fruit trees
fertilization strategies
nitrogen metabolism
carbon metabolism
nutrient demand
nutrient uptake
nutrient use efficiency
nutrient budget
environmental cost
sustainable nutrient management

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Seaweed-Extract-Based Organic Fertilizers on the Levels of Mineral Elements, Sugar–Acid Components and Hormones in Fuji Apples

by Song Yang, Hairong Wang, Guiping Wang, Jinzheng Wang, Aiguo Gu, Xiaomin Xue and Ru Chen

Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13040969 - 24 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3403

Abstract

Seaweed extracts, which are naturally degradable and environmentally friendly, have become important components of organic fertilizers for fruit. In this study, the effects of seaweed-extract-based organic fertilizers on the levels of mineral elements, sugar–acid components, and hormones in ‘Fuji’ apples were evaluated. Eleven-year-old ‘Fuji’ apple (‘Yanfu 3’/M9/Malus robusta) trees were sprayed with seaweed-extract-based fertilizers SE1 (contained ≥20 g/L of algal polysaccharides, ≥100 g/L of amino acids, and ≥30 g/L of EDTA-Ca) and SE2 (contained ≥100 g/L of algal polysaccharides, ≥160 g/L of Ca, and ≥10 g/L of Mg) from early May to early October at two-week intervals in 2020. Water spraying was used as a control treatment. The preliminary results showed that SE1 and SE2 significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content and Rubisco enzyme activity in ‘Fuji’ apple leaves. SE1 and SE2 improved the quality of ‘Fuji’ apples. Compared to the single-fruit weight, soluble solid content (SSC), soluble sugar content, sugar–acid ratio, vitamin C (VC) content, and free amino acid content of control apples, those of SE1-treated and SE2-treated apples increased by 10.74% and 8.94%, 12.16% and 9.76%, 21.96% and 11.90%, 45.12% and 28.55%, 56.12% and 47.96%, and 17.15% and 13.42%, respectively. SE1 and SE2 significantly improved the levels of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and sorbitol, but decreased the levels of malic acid, oxalic acid, and tartaric acid in ‘Fuji’ apples. Meanwhile, SE1 and SE2 increased the levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and boron in ‘Fuji’ apples. SE1 and SE2 significantly improved the levels of indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin riboside, and gibberellic acid, but significantly decreased the level of abscisic acid in ‘Fuji’ apples. In conclusion, spraying seaweed-extract-based foliar fertilizer is beneficial to the nutrient accumulation and flavor development in ‘Fuji’ apples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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11 pages, 749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Different Ratios of Cow Manure and Chemical Fertilizers on Fruit Quality of Gala Apples

by An Yang, Ling Yang, Cungang Cheng, Bin Xie, Yanzhen Zhang, Xin Li, Yanqing Li and Zhuang Li

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2735; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112735 - 04 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2393

Abstract

Nutrient patterns can significantly influence the growth and development of fruit trees, especially fruit quality. In order to clarify the appropriate ratio of inorganic and organic fertilizers, six treatments with different ratios of cow manure and chemical fertilizers were set up in this study to evaluate the effects of different treatments on fruit yield, appearance quality, intrinsic quality and volatile substances. The results showed that, after replacing some chemical fertilizers with cow manure, the content of sugar, titratable acid, organic acid and aroma substance in the fruit increased, the fruit yield and colour did not change significantly, and the fruit weight per fruit decreased. Among the treatments of cow manure with chemical fertilizer, the fruits of 50% chemical fertilizer with 50% cow manure treatment had higher titratable acid (0.4%), malic acid (4.15 mg/g), sorbitol (0.51%), glucose (1.30%), fructose (5.81%) content and total aroma substance content (1047.82 μg/g) than chemical fertilizer alone. Compared to the fertilizer treatment alone, the application of cow manure instead of 50% of the chemical fertilizer had a positive effect on fruit quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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11 pages, 1886 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

N Utilization, Residual and Loss Characteristics of Spring-Topdressing (¹⁵N-urea) Pear Orchards in the Old Course of the Yellow River Area

by Lin Zhao, Zhihang Jia, Gangbo Li, Ting Zhang and Meng Wei

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2682; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112682 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1183

Abstract

In the old course of the Yellow River area, most orchards are over-applied with nitrogen (N) fertilizers. To improve N management in this area, a ¹⁵N tracing experiment was conducted to investigate the absorption, distribution and loss of spring-topdressing urea in pear orchards from March to August 2019. The 7-year-old Sucui 1 pear was used as the test material, and 277.5 g of ordinary urea and 15 g of ¹⁵N-urea N were evenly applied to each plant. The N absorption, distribution and utilization efficiency of different organs from the flowering stage to the post-harvest stage were analyzed, and the residual and loss of N in the soil were also discussed. The N fertilizer utilization rate increased with the advancement of the phenological period. The N fertilizer utilization rate in the full bloom period is 10.39%, which is the fastest growing period, and reached a maximum of 23.62% in the post-harvest stage. In the young fruit stage, the amount of N derived from labeled fertilizer (%Ndff) of the fruit was only 1.02%, and most of the new vegetative organs were above 1%. Residual amount in the 20–40 cm soil layer was significantly higher than that in other soil layers. Direction of N fertilizer is N fertilizer loss>soil residue>tree absorption. N loss in the fruit expansion stage and the harvest stage is higher, which are 3.76 g and 3.74 g, respectively. N utilization rate in this area is low throughout the year. There is nutrient competition between reproductive growth and vegetative growth, which can be effectively alleviated by spring top-dressing. The N loss during fruit expansion and harvesting is serious. Attention should be paid to split fertilizer application and the timely supplementation of an appropriate amount of N fertilizer to improve N use efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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13 pages, 837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effects of Returning Apple Shoots In Situ on Soil Quality in an Apple Orchard

by Enda Zhou, Sansan Lyu, Guodong Du and Deguo Lyu

Agronomy 2022, 12(11), 2645; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12112645 - 27 Oct 2022

Viewed by 1147

Abstract

Fruit tree shoots are potential useful resources that are rich in carbohydrates and inorganic nutrients but that are not typically utilized in sustainable agriculture. Our objective was to evaluate the soil properties and soil quality of an orchard after returning apple shoots in situ and to investigate the contribution rate of apple shoots as an exogenous source of organic carbon for fertility amendment of the apple root domain. One-year-old apple shoots were pruned in spring before budding, chopped into 10 cm sections and placed on the soil surface. Soil samples were collected in the first year and third year after returning the shoots. Principal component analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and soil quality index (SQI) comprehensive analysis methods, combined with fuzzy mathematics, were adopted to evaluate the effects of returning apple shoots on comprehensive soil quality, including the soil fertility indicators, soil exchangeable cations, soil neutral sugar and amino acids. Increases in soil organic carbon (SOC), available potassium (K), and available phosphorus (P) were observed in different layers of the orchard soil with returned shoots over time. The total nitrogen (N) content decreased by 18.75% and 13.79% in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers, respectively, in the first year, but increased significantly in the third year. Significant increases in exchangeable cations (Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) in the 0–20 cm soil layer were also observed in the third year after returning shoots, compared to the control. In addition, obvious accumulation of glucose and xylose was observed in the 0–20 cm soil layer compared to the controls in the third year after returning shoots. The total water-soluble free amino acid contents in the third year after returning shoots were 1.08- and 1.16-times higher, respectively, than those of the controls in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers. The SQI in the third year was higher than that of the other treatments in the 0–20 cm soil layer. This study suggests that abandoned apple shoots used as a supplementary carbon source for orchards enhanced the soil fertility of different soil layers, regulated the soil micro environment, and improved the overall soil quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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18 pages, 1252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Spraying Calcium Fertilizer on Photosynthesis, Mineral Content, Sugar–Acid Metabolism and Fruit Quality of Fuji Apples

by Guiping Wang, Jinzheng Wang, Xueping Han, Ru Chen and Xiaomin Xue

Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2563; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102563 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Taidong Base of the Shandong Institute of Pomology, Tai’an City, Shandong Province, China, from May to October 2020. The effects of spraying calcium fertilizer on the photosynthetic characteristics, mineral element content, sugar and acid metabolism, and quality of apples were assessed. Fuji Apple Tianhong.2/SH/Malus robusta (M. robusta) was treated with the calcium fertilizers Niucui (Ca ≥ 100 g/L, B: 1–10 g/L) and Naipu 9 (Ca: 90 g/L, Mg: 21 g/L, N: 110 g/L) at the young fruit stage (25 May), the expansion stage (5 July), and the coloring stage (25 September). Water was sprayed as the control application. The results revealed that spraying calcium fertilizer increased the chloroplast pigment content and photosynthetic capacity of the apple leaves. Compared with the control, the net photosynthetic rate of apple leaves sprayed with Niucui increased by 4.3–34.6%, and that of leaves sprayed with Naipu 9 increased by 15.0–57.4%. Spraying calcium fertilizer promoted the accumulation of Ca, Mg, and B mineral elements in leaves and fruits while inhibiting the accumulation of Cu. Spraying calcium fertilizer improved the quality of apple fruit. Compared to the control fruit, the single fruit weight, fruit hardness, soluble solid content, and Vitamin C content of fruit sprayed with Niucui and Naipu 9 increased by 6.5 and 12.1%, 3.6 and 16.1%, 6.3 and 12.0%, and 30.5 and 29.4%, respectively. Spraying calcium fertilizer increased the sugar content and decreased the acid content of the apples. Naipu 9 was more effective at increasing fruit sugar content, especially sucrose and sorbitol, while Niucui was more effective at reducing the acid content, especially malic acid. This was observed because Naipu 9 increased the sugar metabolism enzyme activity, while Niucui increased the acid decomposition-related enzyme activity. In conclusion, according to the nutrition quality and flavor of the fruit, Naipu 9 application was determined to be the best fertilizer for the Fuji apple. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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15 pages, 2788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of the Tree Structure of Zaosu Pear on the Transport and Distribution of Photosynthetic Assimilates and Fruit Quality under Desert-Area Conditions

by Mingxin Zhao, Wentai Sun, Hongxu Li, Wei Wang, Gang Cao and Falin Wang

Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2440; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102440 - 08 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1340

Abstract

Pear is an important fruit tree in China, and the Hexi area is the main pear-planting area in Gansu Province. Tree shapes have different effects on photosynthesis that influence fruit quality and development. Thus, in the current study, five tree shapes of Zaosu pear, including the Y-shaped, trunk, single-arm, double-arm, and spindle tree shapes, were selected, and their effects on photosynthesis and fruit quality were investigated. The thickness and length of shoot branches were highest in the single-, double-arm, and spindle tree shapes. The level of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) varied by tree shape; from highest to lowest, the order was double-arm > single-arm > spindle > Y-shaped > trunk tree shapes. Leaf area and chlorophyll content were highest in the single- and double-arm tree shapes, with higher increases in the net photosynthetic rate to light intensity (Pn-PAR), the net photosynthetic rate to CO₂ (Pn-CO₂), the relative variable fluorescence (Vj), PSII maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and the light energy absorbed per unit reaction centre (ABS/RC). For fruit quality, the fruit shape index, fruit colour parameters, and content of soluble solids increased significantly in the single- and double-arm tree shapes, while the content of total acids, malic acid, and citric acid in the single- and double-arm tree shapes was lower than in the other tree shapes. All these results demonstrated that the single- and double-arm tree shapes are well ventilated and light-transmitting, which can promote fruit growth and quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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10 pages, 597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Uptake and Allocation of Newly Absorbed Nitrogen in Young Pear Trees Grafted onto Vigorous Rootstocks (Pyrus betulifolia)

by Yang Wu, Mingde Sun, Zhi Zhao, Zhenxu Liang, Jun Liu and Songzhong Liu

Agronomy 2022, 12(10), 2303; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102303 - 26 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1335

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the essential elements for fruit tree growth. Therefore, a ¹⁵N tracing experiment was conducted to investigate the characteristics of nitrogen uptake and distribution in young pear trees. The experiment included: groups A and B, fertilized with 15 g unlabeled and 5 g labeled N per tree in the spring of 2017; and group C, fertilized with 20 g unlabeled N per tree in the spring of 2017 and 25 g unlabeled and 5 g labeled N per tree in the spring of 2018. Results indicated that new organs grew vigorously before June, and about 50% of the fertilizer nitrogen was concentrated in leaves. From June to November, the growth rate of storage organs was faster than that of new organs, and fertilizer nitrogen was mainly stored in the shoots, trunk, and roots. During the defoliation period, about 84% of the leaf fertilizer nitrogen was mobilized to the shoots, trunk, and roots. There was significant correlation between current fertilizer nitrogen and the dry mass weight of each organ after the completion of the nitrogen cycling of a whole year; the correlation coefficient was 0.98. Fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency increased with the ages of the pear trees. Therefore, nitrogen fertilizer rate should be formulated according to the tree growth characteristics and increased with the ages of the young pear trees; topdressing fertilizer should be applied in summer to ensure trunk and root development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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14 pages, 1204 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Foliar and Soil Boron Fertilization on Yield, Leaf Physiological Traits and Fruit Attributes in Rainfed Almond Orchards

by Ana P. Silva, Alfredo Aires, David Barreales, Manuel Â. Rodrigues, António C. Ribeiro, Berta Gonçalves and Maria C. Morais

Agronomy 2022, 12(9), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12092005 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1499

Abstract

Boron (B) fertilizers are recognized as essential for ensuring yield and fruit quality. However, the importance of soil and foliar B fertilization in almond orchards under rainfed conditions is presently unclear. To address this literature gap, in the present study, the impact of soil and foliar application of B on leaf gas exchange, leaf photosynthetic pigments, yield, and fruit quality in almonds was investigated across three consecutive growing seasons. Boron fertilizer was applied to the soil at four rates (0, 1, 2, and 3 kg ha⁻¹) in the presence or absence of foliar application (0.36 g L⁻¹) of the same micronutrient. Borax pentahydrate was used as the B source. When compared to foliar B fertilization, the soil application of B positively affected the gas exchange parameters, mainly the net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate (percentage of gain between 15% and 80%), but did not influence the chlorophyll content. The almond yield and fruit characteristics were also enhanced (about 25–72%) in response to lower soil B fertilization rates. In the 3 kg ha⁻¹ dose, B had an adverse effect on the yield and resulted in lighter fruits. On the other hand, foliar B fertilization did not benefit any of the evaluated parameters. Overall, these results suggest that, under the studied conditions, almond orchards do not respond to higher B rates in soil or foliar B fertilization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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13 pages, 1757 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Glucose Increases the Abundance of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterial Community for Better Apple Seedling Growth and Phosphate Uptake

by Zhihang Jia, Lin Zhao, Jia Zhang, Wei Jiang, Meng Wei, Xinxiang Xu, Yuanmao Jiang and Shunfeng Ge

Agronomy 2022, 12(5), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051181 - 14 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1727

Abstract

Phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms play an important role in soil nutrient phosphorus cycling. In order to clarify the effect of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) on soil phosphorus transformation, the effects of glucose additions on the bacterial community, soil phosphorus status, and plant phosphorus uptake in apple rhizosphere soil were investigated. A 90-day pot experiment was carried out, and the experiment was repeated three times. Glucose additions were 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 g glucose per kg of soil. We measured soil bacteria and phosphorus related indexes using Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology and chemical methods. The results showed that when the glucose application rate was 2.5–7.5 g·kg⁻¹, the soil total phosphorus content decreased by 4.4–7.3%; however, the soil acid phosphatase activity increased by 0.5–1.3 times, and the microbial biomass phosphorus increased by 29.1% and 37.0%. The content of Al-P and Fe-P in the rhizosphere soil decreased by 14.4 to 32.7 mg·kg⁻¹ and 16.04 to 28.7 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. The compositional difference of the bacterial community became larger, and the relative abundance of 11 bacterial phyla changed significantly, among which the most significant change was found in Proteobacteria. This study also found that the relative abundances of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, and Cuprococcus increased by 0.9%, 2.2%, 2.4%, and 0.8%, respectively. Applying 7.5 g glucose per kg of soil can significantly increase the relative abundance of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter et al.) in rhizosphere soil, activate Al-P and Fe-P, and improve the availability of soil phosphorus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrient Management in Orchards)

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