Prepare for next season with post-harvest nutrition

As growers around the country complete this season’s harvest, the post-harvest window represents an important opportunity to reload your trees with key nutrients, critical for the following spring,” says David Spencer, agronomy and crop solutions manager for Yara Fertilizers (NZ) Ltd.

David recommends a two-pronged approach to post-harvest nutrition. “You’re looking to deliver key nutrients like zinc, boron and magnesium – that’s where a specifically-formulated, ready-made solution like YaraVita BudBuilder FL has an important role.”

With its guaranteed analysis of 6.9% nitrogen, 2.2% phosphorus, 4.2% calcium, 14.5% magnesium, 10% zinc and 3% boron, BudBuilder FL delivers key nutrients which the trees store now for next spring. The recommended application rate for both pipfruit and stonefruit is 10 l/ha.
The post-harvest period can also be an ideal time to apply foliar nitrogen, especially to varieties where mid/late season applications could have a negative effect on fruit colour, tree vigour, or storage potential of the harvested fruit, such as Pink Lady.

David suggests foliar applications of nitrogen products such as Yara’s N 400 or YaraLiva Calcinit which can be tank mixed with Bud Builder FL to supply the trees with a robust post-harvest nutrition package.
“However, caution may need to be exercised with a post-harvest application of nitrogen where canker has been an issue in the orchard. We suggest you discuss options with your local Fruitfed Supplies representative.
“Remember that spring’s cool air and soil temperatures can inhibit leaf development and nutrient uptake via the roots, so by ensuring that trees have been able to replenish their reserves from post-harvest application of relevant nutrients helps stimulate photosynthesis and better flowering and fruit-set during spring’s critical growth period. New season nutrient supply from the roots only starts once extension growth has commenced.”
David adds: “The inclusion of magnesium in this post-harvest foliar fertiliser application will help delay leaf senescence, and therefore maximise the period of nutrient remobilisation, carbohydrate accumulation, and new root development.”

A final thought: once the fruit is removed, a common mistake is to forget about the importance of irrigation. Fruit trees have a strong flush period after harvest, so it is vital to ensure adequate moisture is available to aid nutrient uptake from the soil reserves. If it is too dry around the root zone, uptake of key nutrients will be significantly reduced.

More about YaraVita BudBuilder FL:

» A highly concentrated flowable product combining key nutrients to improve the flowering and fruit-set of top and stonefruit.
» Containing significant amounts of magnesium, boron and zinc, it is ideal for application to fruit crops as a post-harvest application to boost levels of these nutrient in the following season.
» It’s also suitable as a pre-flowering application on many fruit crops to enhance flowering and fruit-set.
» The fluid formulation makes it easy to measure, pour and mix the product in the spray tank, while giving the highest nutrient content.
» The purity of raw materials ensures crop safety.
» A controlled particle size gives quick uptake and long lasting effect. This reduces the need for repeat applications saving both time and money.
» It has wide tank-mix compatibilities,so it’s easy to co-apply the products
with agrochemicals, saving both time and money.
» Access tank-mix information easily online or via smart phones (www.tankmix.com).