Crop Nutrition and Apple Weight
Nitrogen
The presence of nitrogen in plants is crucial for achieving optimal yields, and calcium nitrate is a highly accessible form that can significantly enhance production. Unlike its counterpart, ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate not only boosts yields but also plays a vital role in regulating soil pH, fostering tree development, and increasing the accessibility of other essential nutrients. Additionally, calcium acts as a catalyst for enzyme activation and is indispensable for fundamental processes such as cell division, elongation, and fruit development.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus directly influences yield, with leaf phosphorus levels declining as the season advances, as phosphorus is redirected to developing fruit. As the fruit weight increases, so does the phosphorus content within it. Thus, maintaining adequate phosphorus supplies throughout the season is essential to foster continuous growth and ensure a steady accumulation of phosphorus in the fruit, optimizing overall yield.
Potassium
In orchards with low potassium supply, adding up to 600-700 grams of potassium per tree can boost yields, especially in low density orchards. This increase in yield is partly because the fruits become heavier. However, it's crucial to adjust the amount of potassium added based on the soil's existing potassium levels. If the soil already has plenty of potassium, adding too much might actually lower the yield. This happens because excessive potassium can interfere with the absorption of other important nutrients like magnesium and calcium.
