Trials show that phosphorus can increase the commercial premium >75mm grade of apples by 24%, through increasing apple size. Thus, it is particularly important to ensure supplies are not limiting in the period 6 weeks post-flowering. Often this is best achieved by using supplementary foliar phosphate.
How to increase apple size
Apples size is influenced crop nutrition together with pruning and thinning practices. Size is a critical characteristic for grading apples. A minimal size is required on all grades and evenly shaped and sized fruit are desired for all markets.
Phosphorus increases apple size
Magnesium deficiency results in lower fruit size
Lack of magnesium results in reduced photosynthesis leading to smaller leaves that are lighter in colour, poor flowering, reduced apple size and significant fruit drop.
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How to increase apple numbers
Fruit number in apple trees results from a variety of factors, including planting density, orchard system, pruning and thinning practices and also crop nutrition.
How to increase apple weight
Crop nutrition plays an important role on increasing apple weight. Apple weight is an important element for increasing yields. Provided that a desired quality is maintained, the aim of growers is to produce heavier fruits.
How to increase apple yield
Balanced nutrition is needed to achieve high yields. High yields are a function of fruit number and fruit size. To obtain high apple yields it is important to achieve the right balance of fruit numbers on the tree.
Apple and pear nutritional summary
Most nutrients are stored and retained as reserves in tree buds, bark and roots. These are then remobilized after winter to fuel leaf growth, flower bloom, fruit formation and growth.
