How to increase apple numbers
Fruit number in apple trees results from a variety of factors, including planting density, orchard system, pruning and thinning practices and also crop nutrition.
The desired fruit size should be considered when managing crop load since allowing too many fruits to remain on the tree will result in smaller fruits and reduce tree vigour.
Phosphorus increases flower number
Phosphorus increases the potential for fruiting by increasing the number of flower clusters, their intensity and the level of apple set.
Boron is important for fruit formation
Because boron is not readily translocated within the tree, it is most critically used as foliar applications targeted at key periods of flower and fruit formation so as to maintain flower set.
Zinc increases apple fruit set
Pre-blosom applications of zinc can help aid the recovery of winter injured trees and also ensure supplies are not limiting during flowering and new fruit formation.
Magnesium is important for leaf growth
Magnesium is important in ensuring good growth, but at relatively low levels. It has a critical role to play in leaf growth and good flowering with minimal fruitdrop.
Related articles
How to increase apple size
Apples size is influenced crop nutrition together with pruning and thinning practices. Size is a critical characteristic for grading apples. A minimal size is required on all grades and evenly shaped and sized fruit are desired for all markets.
How to increase apple weight
Crop nutrition plays an important role on increasing apple weight. Apple weight is an important element for increasing yields. Provided that a desired quality is maintained, the aim of growers is to produce heavier fruits.
How to increase apple yield
Balanced nutrition is needed to achieve high yields. High yields are a function of fruit number and fruit size. To obtain high apple yields it is important to achieve the right balance of fruit numbers on the tree.
Apple and pear nutritional summary
Most nutrients are stored and retained as reserves in tree buds, bark and roots. These are then remobilized after winter to fuel leaf growth, flower bloom, fruit formation and growth.
