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- Improving nitrogen use efficiency, sustainability and fruit quality in high-density apple orchards.
Improving nitrogen use efficiency, sustainability and fruit quality in high-density apple orchards.
Summary
Project summary:
Traditional apple orchards are being replaced by high-density irrigated systems in which fertigation is used to apply nitrogen (N) and other nutrients. Nitrogen is applied in greater amounts than any other plant nutrient but fruit trees acquire only about 20% of applied N. Among the factors that affect N use efficiency are the fertigation rate, frequency of application and the irrigation regime. Excess irrigation water can leach N below the root zone and reduces N use efficiency. Excessive N nutrition may also increase vegetative growth and reduce fruit quality and storage potential. New guidelines are needed to improve the efficiency of N fertiliser use in intensive apple production. The proposed project aims to optimise N management in irrigated high-density apple orchards by maximising the efficiency of N fertigation regimes and minimising nitrate leaching in the deep soil layers. Moreover, the effects of different fertigation treatments on the quality and the storage potential of fruits will be evaluated.
Benefits to industry:
a) Reduced N input (reduced vegetative growth, improved fruit colour development, and storage quality)
b) Improved firmness, shelf-life and storage potential (less susceptibility to internal breakdown, bitter pit and cork spot)
c) Improved sustainability and reduced environmental impact (more efficient use of nutrients, lower nitrogen leaching in the ground water, lower production costs, compliance with legislation (The Nitrate Directive)
d) Lower production costs (reduced spend on fertilisers and foliar nitrogen applications, lower pruning costs)
c) Improved sustainability and reduced environmental impact (more efficient use of nutrients, lower nitrogen leaching in the ground water, lower production costs, compliance with legislation (The Nitrate Directive)
d) Lower production costs (reduced spend on fertilisers and foliar nitrogen applications, lower pruning costs)
Sector:
Horticulture
Project code:
TF 214
Date:
01 April 2014 - 31 March 2017
Funders:
AHDB Horticulture
AHDB sector cost:
£94,599
Project leader:
DR ELEFTHERIA STAVRIDOU
Downloads
TF 214_Report_Annual_2015 TF 214_RTP_Annual_GS_ 2015 TF214_Report_Final_2017 TF214_G S Report_Final_2017About this project
Aims and objectives:
Project aim(s):
1. To optimise nitrogen fertiliser use efficiency in high-density apple orchards at East Malling Research (EMR)
2. To improve profitability and sustainability of fertigated high-density UK apple production
Project objective(s):
1. To quantify nitrate leaching in high-density ‘Gala’/M.9 and ‘Braeburn’/M.9 orchards under a commercial fertigation/irrigation scheduling regime
2. To investigate the effects of fertigation on soil acidification
3. To schedule fertigation to match demand with supply and minimise nitrogen leaching in high-density apple orchards
4. To determine the effects of the fertiliser regimes on components of apple quality and storage potential
5. To disseminate the results to the industry
2. To investigate the effects of fertigation on soil acidification
3. To schedule fertigation to match demand with supply and minimise nitrogen leaching in high-density apple orchards
4. To determine the effects of the fertiliser regimes on components of apple quality and storage potential
5. To disseminate the results to the industry