Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management

This study was conducted to evaluate fertilization management based on fruit nutrient removal, soil nutrient-supplying capacity and tree nutritional status with standard nutrient values as a reference and the effects on fruit size and yield in Hass avocado trees. The soil chemical characteristics, f...

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Main Authors: Alexander Rebolledo-Roa, Ronal Arturo Burbano-Diaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/8/1956
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author Alexander Rebolledo-Roa
Ronal Arturo Burbano-Diaz
author_facet Alexander Rebolledo-Roa
Ronal Arturo Burbano-Diaz
author_sort Alexander Rebolledo-Roa
collection DOAJ
description This study was conducted to evaluate fertilization management based on fruit nutrient removal, soil nutrient-supplying capacity and tree nutritional status with standard nutrient values as a reference and the effects on fruit size and yield in Hass avocado trees. The soil chemical characteristics, foliar nutrient content interpreted with the Kenworthy balance index (KBI) method and fruit nutrient removal for a planned yield of 20 ton/ha were used to determine the fertilization management plan for the crop. The experimental area had soils with Andic characteristics and sandy loam texture, low cation exchange capacity and acidic pH. The farmer’s standard fertilization plan was based on excessive fertilizer doses for N, P, K and Ca, and an imbalance of P, Ca and micronutrients was observed with the diagnosis of plant nutrient status. The fertilizer plan based on the KBI method had an effect on yield variables in the second crop year, with an increase in production of 20 kg/tree as well as an increase in the percentage of fruits with a size higher than 22 (165–196 g/fruit) according to the Codex Alimentarius standards. These findings indicate that the reincorporation of minerals extracted by the harvest into the soil and the plant nutrient status are useful tools to guide crop fertilization management when fine-tuned to local soil chemical conditions and crop requirements to minimize nutrient losses.
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spelling doaj.art-01d4ecc9025e41a887912bd2833eeeb42023-11-18T23:53:04ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952023-07-01138195610.3390/agronomy13081956Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization ManagementAlexander Rebolledo-Roa0Ronal Arturo Burbano-Diaz1Centro de Investigación Palmira, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria-Agrosavia, Diagonal a la Intersección de la Carrera 36A con Calle 23, Palmira 763531, Valle del Cauca, ColombiaCentro de Investigación Palmira, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria-Agrosavia, Diagonal a la Intersección de la Carrera 36A con Calle 23, Palmira 763531, Valle del Cauca, ColombiaThis study was conducted to evaluate fertilization management based on fruit nutrient removal, soil nutrient-supplying capacity and tree nutritional status with standard nutrient values as a reference and the effects on fruit size and yield in Hass avocado trees. The soil chemical characteristics, foliar nutrient content interpreted with the Kenworthy balance index (KBI) method and fruit nutrient removal for a planned yield of 20 ton/ha were used to determine the fertilization management plan for the crop. The experimental area had soils with Andic characteristics and sandy loam texture, low cation exchange capacity and acidic pH. The farmer’s standard fertilization plan was based on excessive fertilizer doses for N, P, K and Ca, and an imbalance of P, Ca and micronutrients was observed with the diagnosis of plant nutrient status. The fertilizer plan based on the KBI method had an effect on yield variables in the second crop year, with an increase in production of 20 kg/tree as well as an increase in the percentage of fruits with a size higher than 22 (165–196 g/fruit) according to the Codex Alimentarius standards. These findings indicate that the reincorporation of minerals extracted by the harvest into the soil and the plant nutrient status are useful tools to guide crop fertilization management when fine-tuned to local soil chemical conditions and crop requirements to minimize nutrient losses.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/8/1956<i>Persea americana</i>fruit growthfruit nutrient removalKenworthy balance indexsoil analysisplant nutrient status
spellingShingle Alexander Rebolledo-Roa
Ronal Arturo Burbano-Diaz
Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management
Agronomy
<i>Persea americana</i>
fruit growth
fruit nutrient removal
Kenworthy balance index
soil analysis
plant nutrient status
title Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management
title_full Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management
title_fullStr Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management
title_full_unstemmed Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management
title_short Nutrient Balance in Hass Avocado Trees as a Tool to Optimize Crop Fertilization Management
title_sort nutrient balance in hass avocado trees as a tool to optimize crop fertilization management
topic <i>Persea americana</i>
fruit growth
fruit nutrient removal
Kenworthy balance index
soil analysis
plant nutrient status
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/8/1956
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