Nutrient requirement and distribution of intensively grown ‘Brookfield Gala’ apple trees

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dc.contributor.advisorStassen, P. J. C.
dc.contributor.advisorTheron, K. I.
dc.contributor.advisorRosecrance, R.
dc.contributor.authorKangueehi, Grace Nandesora
dc.contributor.otherUniversity of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Horticulture.
dc.date.accessioned2008-06-17T12:36:17Zen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2010-06-01T08:31:38Z
dc.date.available2008-06-17T12:36:17Zen_ZA
dc.date.available2010-06-01T08:31:38Z
dc.date.issued2008-03en_ZA
dc.descriptionThesis (MscAgric (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
dc.description.abstract‘Brookfield Gala’ apple trees were planted out in July 2003 in a Dundee soil form, consisting of well-aerated sandy loam soil. During the first 12 months trees received young tree solutions high in nitrogen. The nutrient solution of the 2nd leaf trees was based on a yield estimation of 10 ton. ha-1 plus 30%. Nutrient solutions for the 3rd leaf trees were based on 25 ton. ha-1 yield estimations and adapted upwards. Seasonal uptake and distributions were determined for macro and micro elements, using twoand three-year-old apple trees during the seasons 2004/2005 and 2005/2006. In the bearing apple trees the macro nutrient accumulated rapidly from late winter to late autumn. Prior to leaf drop most of the N, P, S, Mg and a small portion of K were redistributed back into the permanent parts of the tree. On the other hand, all Ca in the leaves was lost through leaf drop. Apple fruit contains comparatively large quantities (±60.2%) of K, which are removed during harvest. Guidelines for minimum and maximum nutritional requirements based on the amount necessary to produce 1 kg fruit were determined. For the 3rd leaf trees the minimum macro nutrient requirements (g. kg-1 yield) of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were ±1.7, ±0.3, ±2.3, ±0.5, ±0.2 and ±0.2, respectively. The maximum nutrient requirements (g. kg-1 yield) for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S were ±2.6, ±0.4, ±3.3, ±1.9, ±0.4 and ±0.2, respectively. For the 3rd leaf trees the minimum micro nutrient requirements (mg. kg-1 yield) of Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, B and Mo were ±75.1, ±1.3, ±28.7, ±0.9, ±3.0, ±5.7 and ±0.3, respectively. The maximum nutrient requirements (mg. kg-1 yield) of Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, B and Mo were ±102.9, ±7.8, ±32.6, ±1.1, ±6.5, ±7.6 and ±0.3, respectively. Labelled N uptake and distribution for two- and three-year-old apple trees were also determined during the same seasons. The labelled N uptake and distribution results indicated that there was a low labelled N uptake in the initial growth stages, suggesting the importance of internal N reserves for plant development at the beginning of the season. In the active growing period more than 60% of the labelled N was found in the new growth. Uptake efficiency improved as the trees grew older. The effect of different nutrient levels on tree growth, yield and fruit quality was assessed: lower (80%) than the standard (100%) and three higher (120%, 140% and 160%). Results indicated that different nutrient levels had no effect on yield, blush or TSS during the 18 months of application over two bearing seasons. The application of biological products (humic acid, and compost plus compost extract) over a period of 18 months had a significant influence on the TSS, malic acid and citric acid concentrations. A tendency towards an increase in total fine root number and length occured with the addition of biological ameliorant.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1724
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherStellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
dc.rights.holderUniversity of Stellenbosch
dc.subjectMacro elementsen
dc.subjectMicro elementsen
dc.subjectLabelled nitrogenen
dc.subjectBiological ameliorantsen
dc.subjectDissertations -- Horticultureen
dc.subjectTheses -- Horticultureen
dc.subjectDissertations -- Agricultureen
dc.subjectTheses -- Agricultureen
dc.subjectApples -- Nutritionen
dc.subjectFruit trees -- Nutritionen
dc.titleNutrient requirement and distribution of intensively grown ‘Brookfield Gala’ apple treesen
dc.typeThesis
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