Influence of Mineral Fertilizer, Farmyard Manure, Natural Zeolite, and their Mixture on Fruit Quality and Leaf Micronutrient Levels of Apple Trees

Tree vigor, yield, fruit quality, and antioxidant capacity of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) influenced by different fertilization regimes: preliminary results

“…Data from the relevant literature are contradictory regarding the effect of N fertilizers on apple tree growth and productivity, as these properties are highly complex categories dependent on genetics, biotic and abiotic factors, and applied cultural practices, including fertilization (Milošević and Milošević, 2017). In the present trial, the roots of MM 106 under herbicide strips grew under luxurious conditions of nutrient supply (Wrona, 2011).…”

“…In addition, N fertilization enhanced root development, which improved the supply of nutrients and water to the growing parts of the plants, resulting in an increased photosynthetic area and hence greater vegetative growth and better productivity of Idared apples. In our previous study on the same cultivar grafted on M 9 rootstock, compound mineral fertilizer NPK (15:15:15) resulted in better production capacity compared to the other mixture fertilizers (Milošević and Milošević, 2017). However, treatment of acidic soils with urea, which is also acidic, had negative effects.…”

“…The experimental procedure included soil fertilization with urea containing 46% N total (N TOT ) (0.015 kg m -2 ), CAN with 27% N TOT (0.03 kg m -2 ), compound NPK as a 15:15:15 (0.05 kg m -2 ) mineral fertilizer, ITP multinutrient fertilizer (0.04 kg m -2 ), and aged cattle manure consisting of 0.5% N TOT , 0.3% Al-P 2 O 5 , 0.6% Al-K 2 O, and 25% organic matter on a dry weight basis (5 kg m -2 ) (Milošević et al, 2013;Milošević and Milošević, 2017). The control treatment received no fertilization.…”

“…Some other authors recommended higher rates of N in nutrient-poor soils having very low levels of organic matter (Teravest et al, 2010), but high N application rates in poor soils may be associated with N loss through leaching. Importantly, nitrogen fertilizer rates should be strictly dependent on the soil organic matter content, as well as on the tree nutrient status and the rootstock used (Milošević et al, 2013(Milošević et al, , 2017Pole et al, 2017). In the present study, the soil contained 1.91% organic matter (optimal level for apple ranged from 1.74 to 2.91; authors' observation), and the rootstock used was MM 106, which is less susceptible to competition for nutrients and water than dwarf rootstocks such as M 9 and/or M 26 due to a more extensive tree root system developing on it (Scudellari et al, 1993).…”

“…Some phytochemicals such as sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds con tribute to the aroma of apples (Mikulič Petkovšek et al, 2009). Intensive apple production is based on the use of a number of cultural techniques such as training, pruning, thinning, soil management, disease and pest management, weed control, irrigation, and fertilization (Milošević and Milošević, 2017). In the past few decades, intensive apple production worldwide has primarily focused on increasing productivity through intensification of the use of fertilizers and water, resulting in high production and environmental costs (Stefanelli et al, 2010).…”