Effects of mulching, irrigation and foliar fertilization upon growth, production and nutrient concentration of 'Agua Nueva II' apple
2004
Becerril-Roman, A.E. | Ibanez-Martinez, A. | Parra-Quezada, R.A.
Bearing in mind that more than 50% of the land used for agriculture in Mexico is under semiarid and arid conditions, water availability and nutrition are among the main handicaps for crops to produce, particularly if they are fruit species. From the total area cultivated with apple, 36% is grown under rainfed conditions with a 4.2 t ha(-1) yield. Therefore, technology for improving nutrition with a more efficient use of available water is now being considered, in order to increase fruit yield and quality. This could lead to obtaining higher profits, and to being able to access more specialized systems in addition to ensuring a sustainable development. Growth, production, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, and Zn foliar concentration were determined in 'Agua Nueva II' apple trees, a low chilling mutant of 'Golden Delicious', grown in semiarid condition. Mulching (manure, grass residues, and bare soil as control), irrigation (flood irrigation and rainfall as control), and foliar fertilization (2.0 kg free biuret urea + 2.0 L Bayfolan + 200 mL surfactant ha(-1) sprayed twice a month, and control) treatments were studied. A split plot design with three randomized blocks was used for statistical analysis. Before applying the treatments in August 1997, the nutritional condition of the apple plants was established; Cu and Zn foliar concentration were deficient. Results in 1998 showed a general plant growth, production and nutritional condition improvement with some of the treatments. Flood irrigation significantly affected plant growth, as N, P, K, and Mn concentrations in leaves. Manure mulching also affected significantly plant growth and K concentration and caused the highest yields per tree. Zn concentration reached sufficiency levels, while Cu remained deficient.
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