Response of "Jonagold" apple trees to Ca, K and Mg fertilization in an andisol in southern Chile

• E von Bennewitz ^[1] ; T Cooper ^[2] ; C Benavides ^[2] ; T Losak ^[3] ; J Hlusek ^[3]
  1. [1] Universidad Católica del Maule

     Universidad Católica del Maule

     Provincia de Talca, Chile

     
  2. [2] Universidad de Chile

     Universidad de Chile

     Santiago, Chile

     
  3. [3] Mendel University in Brno Department of Agro-chemistry Soil Science, Microbiology and Plant Nutrition

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• Localización: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition, ISSN-e 0718-9516, ISSN 0718-9508, Vol. 11, Nº. 3, 2011, págs. 71-81
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The effects of Ca, Mg and K fertilisation on the growth, yield, fruit quality and mineral concentration of the fruits and leaves of 'Jonagold' apple trees that were grown in an Andisol in southern Chile were analysed. In general, the Andisols in this area contain low reservoirs of these elements; therefore, the roles of these elements as essential macroelements and their effects on plant growth, yield and fruit quality are key factors that should be considered in these soils in current and future apple orchards. The soil application of Ca, Mg and K (CaSO4, MgSO4 and K2SO4) did not significantly affect vegetative growth, fruit production or their quality parameters. Ca and Mg fertilisation did not affect the uptake at the present stage of development and production. The mineral concentration of K in the leaves was significantly increased in the plants that were treated with K alone (1.67% DW) or in combination with Ca and Mg (1.8% DW). The fertilisation did not result in the development of physiological disorders in the fruit. This study revealed no relationships between the apple nutrient status and the Ca, Mg and K saturation ratios in the soil. However, the medium to low exchangeable content of these elements in the soil may affect the yields and the quality of the fruit in the future due to the increased demand by the trees for those elements.