Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization of Apple Orchard on Soil Mineral Nitrogen Content, Yielding of the Apple Trees and Nutritional Status of Leaves and Fruits

Wojciech Kowalczyk (), Dariusz Wrona and Sebastian Przybyłko
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Wojciech Kowalczyk: Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 Str., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Dariusz Wrona: Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 Str., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Sebastian Przybyłko: Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159 Str., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Contemporary trends in horticulture are aimed at limiting the use of mineral fertilizers to the necessary minimum, which is to guarantee adequate profitability of production while maintaining high-quality fruit and at the same time preventing environmental pollution. Thus, in the presented study, we investigate the effect of diversified nitrogen fertilization on soil mineral nitrogen content during vegetation season, yielding of apple trees and the nutritional status of apple leaves and fruits. We compared several ammonium nitrate treatments as well as growth without fertilization as a control. The results of our study show that under the conditions of humus-rich soils and with appropriate agrotechnics, N mineralization from the organic matter available in the soil may completely cover demand of apple trees for this component. Achieved outcomes clearly revealed that nitrogen fertilization in the amount of 100 kg N · ha −1 on the entire soil surface carries a real risk of groundwater contamination, and the same nitrogen dose applied within the grassland does not bring any production effects, therefore it should be considered as unjustified. Obtained results revealed that in a rationally managed, fully fruiting apple orchard, the annual dose of N should not exceed 50 kg N∙ha −1 . This dosage of N should fully secure the nutritional needs of apple trees, guaranteeing their high yield and complete safety for the environment. What is important is, nitrogen fertilization strongly affects macroelemental composition of apple leaves and fruits.

Keywords: nitrogen fertilization; ammonium nitrate; soil mineral nitrogen content; yielding of apple trees; leaf nutrient uptake; fruit nutrient uptake (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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