Effects of decreasing levels of n amendments on organic “granny smith” apple trees

Abstract

The effect of decreasing levels of organic N-fertilization on fruit production, mineral composition and fruit quality was evaluated in organically cultivated “Granny Smith” apples trees. Treatments included the application of decreasing levels of N fertilization (100 kg N ha-1, 75 kg N ha-1, 50 kg N ha-1 and 0 kg N ha-1) applied as fossilized red guano (50% of the total amount of N) and blood meal (50% of the total amount of N) to twelve years old Granny Smith apple trees. Yield was not affected by the treatments (yield ranged from 0.28 to 0.4 kg cm-2 SCSA). Fruit mineral concentration and ratios were not affected by treatments. Fruits showed low Ca concentrations (2.8 to 3.3 mg Ca 100 g-1 FW), high levels of K (118.6 to 130.1 mg K 100 g-1 FW) and high values for K+Mg/Ca (> 12) and K/Ca (> 30) ratios. Mineral concentration on leaves was not affected by treatments (normal concentrations for macro and microelements). Bitter pit was only detected after 60 days of storage (100 kg N ha-1 tree, 1.1 in a scale 1-4). Besides orchard nitrogen management, fruit mineral ratios and Ca foliar applications should be considered for managing fruit production and quality in organic apples.