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Fertilizer Application for 6-Year-Old Walnut Plants
Walnut plants require proper fertilization for their optimal growth and production. A 6-year-old walnut tree requires different fertilization strategies as it has entered into a different growth phase. Fertilizer application helps maintain the nutrient balance in the soil, helps stave off disease, and promotes tree growth.
The following are the essential tips for fertilization of 6-year-old walnut plants:
1. Soil Analysis
Before fertilizing, conduct a soil analysis to determine the current nutrient status and deficiencies. The analysis result helps identify any micronutrient deficiency, alkaline soil conditions, or nitrogen overuse. This information, in turn, guides you on the correct type and amount of fertilizer application.
2. Nitrogen Fertilization
Nitrogen is vital during the early growth stages of the tree. During this phase, urea or ammonium sulfate can be used as nitrogen sources, spread around the drip line. A 6-year-old walnut tree requires about two pounds of nitrogen per year. Over-fertilization can inhibit the tree’s roots and encourage excessive vegetative growth, affecting its productivity.
3. Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization
Phosphorus and potassium are crucial for the growth and development of the reproductive system. Phosphorus and potassium should be added in balanced amounts. During the flowering stage, phosphorus enhances pollination success, while potassium helps improve kernel filling and fruit quality. An application of phosphorus and potassium should be done once annually around the dripline at the start of the growing season.
4. Calcium Fertilization
Calcium is essential for cell growth and stability during fruit development. Application of Calcium nitrate at the start of fruit development can help boost fruit quality, minimize fruit loss, and help treat crown rot.
5. Zinc Fertilization
Zinc is vital for producing plant hormones, regulating flower development, and increasing resistance to disease. Zinc deficiencies manifest in leaves discoloring yellowing, stunted growth, and poor fruit quality. Apply Zinc sulfate spray once in a season during active tree growth to provide enough Zinc to boost plant growth.
6. Avoid Over-Fertilization
Over-fertilization with nitrogen can promote excessive vegetative growth and can affect the tree’s productivity. Avoid applying excessive nitrogen fertilizers that are not taken up into the plant. Overuse of fertilizer causes nutrient build-up in the soil and their subsequent runoff, which leads to environmental pollution and wastage of resources.
Conclusion
Fertilization is an essential practice that promotes tree growth, reduces soil diseases, and enhance the quality of fruits. Balanced application of nutrients, based on timely analyses of the soil and fruit trees helps in producing high-quality fruit yields and maintaining long term productivity of trees. Follow the recommended practices of soil testing, balanced fertilizer application, and avoiding overuse of fertilizers.