Apricot quality improvement of early season varieties in Australia

Foliar application of Bonus npK as fruit began to grow, improved fruit size distribution and its sugar content

 

Crop/cultivar

Apricot/ Castlebrite

Country / location Australia / Shepparton (Victoria)
Objectives

To improve fruit quality by foliar applications of Haifa Bonus as fruit begins to grow

Haifa product tested Haifa Bonus
Application method Foliar nutrition
Tested treatment 3 x Foliar feeding @ 1.25% Bonus-npK at 1000 lit./Ha, 14 days intervals. 17/10/04, 31/10/04, 14/11/04
Control treatment results Average fruit wt. (g) – 52.2,  Sugar Content (% Brix) – 8.17
Av. Fruit Diameter (mm) – 43.8
Best treatment results Average fruit wt. (g) – 73.2,  Sugar Content (% Brix) -10.1
Av. Fruit Diameter (mm) – 50.5
Characteristics of best treatment

Very large benefit for grower on this variety with inproved size distribution. Improved sugar levels also a benefit

Net benefit of best treatment 27075$/ha
Conclusions Local: Improvement in size and taste (sugar) in early season varieties is very important. I don’t expect as dramatic results in each case but trend is positive in other varieties which is encouraging
Worldwide: Obviously worth trying in other countries, but such big improvements may not always be seen.
Reference Matt Thomas, Multifert Agencies, Australia

 

Need more information about growing apricots? You can always return to the apricot fertilizer.