Role of Nutrients by Pome Fruit Growth Stage

Bud Burst - Start of Flowering

Bud Burst - Start of Flowering
  • Nitrogen, Potassium and Magnesium – promote strong early growth of new plant tissues and maximum tree productivity 
  • Phosphorus – maximize root development and flower cluster formation 
  • Calcium – boost root and leaf growth and high yields 
  • Boron – maximize pollination and strong flower development 
  • Manganese – to maximize tissue growth 
  • Zinc – to optimize bud burst and early leaf development

Fruit Set - Fruitlet

Fruit Set - Fruitlet
  • Nitrogen – in reduced amounts to maintain fruit fill 
  • Potassium – minimize fruit disorders 
  • Phosphorus – fruit set and development 
  • Calcium – maintain good fruit quality and minimize fruit disorders 
  • Magnesium – for reduced fruit drop 
  • Boron – improve fruit set

Fruit Fill - Maturity

Fruit Fill - Maturity
  • Nitrogen – in reduced amounts to maintain fruit fill and high sugars (excess can lead to rots and quality deterioration) 
  • Potassium – maximize fruit weight, TSS levels in the fruit and minimize disorders and sunscald (but at levels that don’t compete with calcium) 
  • Calcium – maintain good fruit firmness and storage quality 
  • Manganese – alongside phosphorus will promote fruit coloration

Post Harvest

Post Harvest
  • Nitrogen and Potassium – boost reserves for next season’s early growth 
  • Phosphorus – maximize bud development and early rooting and new tissue growth in the following spring 
  • Calcium – maintain high levels in the tree 
  • Magnesium, Boron, and Zinc – replenish reserves and strengthen new buds