Role of nutrients by growth stage in stone fruit

Roles of nutrients at different growth stages

Bud burst to Flowering

• Nitrogen and Potassium – promote strong early growth of new plant tissues and maximum tree productivity
• Phosphorus – maximize root development
• Calcium - boost root and leaf growth and ensure high yields
• Boron* and Zinc* – maximize bud burst and strong flower development
• Manganese*, Magnesium and Iron – to optimize leaf condition

* Foliar spray preferred

Fruit set

• Nitrogen – to maintain leaf development
• Potassium – maximize amounts in early fruit
• Phosphorus – fruit set and development
• Calcium – improve fruit quality and minimize fruit disorders
• Magnesium, Sulphur and Micronutrients* – for good leaf quality and reduced fruit drop
• Boron* and Zinc* – maximize growth of young fruit tissues

* Foliar spray preferred

Fruit fill to Maturity

• Nitrogen – in reduced amounts to maintain growth and sugar accumulation – excess can lead to rots and quality deterioration
• Potassium – improve fruit weight, color and TSS levels in the fruit – but at levels that don’t compete with calcium
• Calcium* – maintain fruit firmness, TSS and storage quality with minimal splitting
• Phosphorus* – improve fruit color and reduce storage disorders
• Magnesium* – maintain fruit firmness
• Boron alongside Copper* reduces splitting risks

* Foliar spray preferred

Post harvest prior to leaf senescence

• Nitrogen and Potassium – boost reserves for next season’s early growth
• Phosphorus – maximize bud development, early rooting and new tissue growth in the following spring
• Calcium – maintain high levels in the tree and stimulate new root development after the harvest
• Magnesium* Boron* and Zinc* – replenish reserves to maximize spring bud burst

* Foliar spray preferred