Fertilization of pears: Haifa's complete recommendation

From recommended rates of nutrients and fertilizers to base dressing recommendations – Haifa's fertilization program covers it all

Countries: Benelux & Germany.
Soil type: Sandy loam- clay.
Plant population: 3000 trees/Ha.
Expected yield: 40 T/Ha.

 

 

 

Recommended average rates of nutrients

(The fertilization program should be adapted according to soil analysis.)

 

N

P2O5

K2O

---------------Kg/Ha--------------

75-100

30-50

150-200

 

 

 

 

Base-Dressing

 

Nutrient demand

Recommended fertilizers

N

P2O5

K2O

CAN

TSP

KCl or Patentkali

50

30

80

200

100

200-300

 

 

Side dressing

 

 

Nutrient demand

Recommended fertilizers

 

N

P2O5

K2O

Multi-KMg

Growth stages

Kg/Ha

Kg/Ha

6 weeks after flowering

25

0

80

200

 

Foliar feeding program

Stage

Dose rate (Kg/Ha)

No. of applications

Remarks

March Multi-K: 5-10

2

To improve bud quality
June - August Multi-K: 5-10

6

 
6 weeks after flowering MAP/ MKP: 5-10

3-4

Till harvest
Post blossom Magnisal: 2.5-5

3-4

Till harvest
After harvest MAP: 5-10

2

To build up reserves

 

 

General remarks:

  1. Final rate and number of applications should be determined according to leaf analysis.
  2. MAP or MKP should be selected according to N level in leaf analysis.
  3. Do not spray fertilizers 2-3 weeks after flowering to avoid scorching problems.

 

 

 

Fertilization of pears in Spain

Soil type: light to medium, good drainage, pH 6.5 - 8.
Annual irrigation rate: ~6,000 m3/ha.
Plant population: 400-600 plants/ha.
Expected yield: 45 t/ha.

 

 

 

Fertigation: Recommended rates of nutrients and fertilizers

 

Month

Crop requirements (kg/ha)

Recommended fertilizers (kg/ha)

N

P2O5

K2O

MgO

Multi-K

MAP

AN

Magnisal

March

15

10

20

0

44

16

22

0

April

20

15

30

5

65

25

14

32

May

32

20

40

5

87

33

0

32

June

35

10

40

10

87

16

45

63

July

20

5

35

10

76

8

7

63

August

6

0

5

8

11

0

0

51

September

6

5

5

5

11

8

0

32

October

10

5

10

0

22

8

18

0

Total annual

140

70

185

55

520

114

106

273

Multi K – Potassium nitrate (13-0-46)
MAP – mono-ammonium phosphate (0-61-0)
Amm. Nit – Ammonium Nitrate (34-0-0)
Magnisal – Magnesium nitrate (10.8-0-0-15.8)

 

A general guideline for splitting K application in fertigation programs for pears

 

Growth stage

Share of K2O at stage
(%)

Recommended rate
(kg/ha of K2O)

Leaf emergence

15

15

Flowering

20

20

Fruit-set

25

25

Fruit growth

25

25

Fruit maturation

15

15

Total

100

100

 

 

Foliar feeding

Fall is an excellent season to prepare the tree to next season requirements in N, K and Fe. As long as foliage is green and active it will readily absorb these nutrients applied by foliar sprays.

 

Recommended rates of major nutrients (% of dry weight)

 

N

P

K

Mg

Mn

1.4-2.0

0.12

1.2-1.3

0.30-0.35

30-50 ppm

 

 

Plant analysis guide

Nutrient sufficiency ranges (source: A & L, Agronomy Handbook, Ankerman & Large Eds.)

 

Pears

N

S

P

K

Mg

Ca

Na

B

Zn

Mn

Fe

Cu

Al

Mo

------------------ % -------------------

---------- p.p.m -----------

From

2.00

0.15

0.15

1.25

0.25

1.30

0.01

25

25

30

60

10

   
To

3.00

0.40

0.50

2.25

0.50

2.00

0.15

70

50

100

150

25

   

 

 

 

 

Plant tissue sampling procedures:

 

Stage of growth

Plant part

Five to eight weeks after full bloom

4 to 8 leaves from spurs or near base of current season’s growth

 

Pears – Mineral foliar analysis values

 

Nutrient

Average value

Critical level

 

(%)

N

2.40

 

S

 

 

P

0.25

 

K

2.00

 

Mg

0.60

 

Ca

1.90

 

Na

   
 

(ppm)

Fe

 

 

Al

 

 

Mn

 

 

B

47

 

Cu

40

 

Zn

60

 

Mo

 

 

 

 

Base dressing recommendations (kg/hectare)

 

N

P2O5

K2O

CaO

MgO

63

99

45

60

20

 

 

Source: recommendations of Agro-Nutrientes Especiales (ANE). (February,2000)

 

 

 

Breaking winter dormancy

The saving resulting from combining Multi-K with Dormex for breaking winter dormancy can come to $US 550 /Ha, as illustrated below.

 

 

Treatment details

Spraying costs of 5% Alzodef. (Dormex)

Spraying costs of
2% Alzodef (Dormex)
+ 6% Multi-K

1,000 Liter/ha with 0.025% surfactant

app. 1000 $US/Ha

app. 450 $US/Ha

 

Need more information about growing pears? You can always return to the pear fertilizer .