Lime management for stablished apple orchards

Abstract

Field studies were conducted to evaluate split application methods of high lime rates for stablished apple orchards. Lime requirement pH 6.0 of the two orchards were 12 and 16 ton/ha. These lime rates were applied on soil surface as following: single application and yearly split 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 applications. Surface application of limes raised soil pH, neutralized A1 and accumulated Ca near the soil surface with diminishing effects to 15 cm depth, below which no differences in pH, Ca, and Al resulted. Single lime application resulted in rapid effects on soil properties and plant nutrition, and yearly split applications slow effects. Single application raised and declined rapidly leaf-Ca and decreased leaf-P. Yearly split 1/3 and 1/4 applications maintened leaf-Ca above 1% with no effect on leaf-P. All lime treatments increased fruit yields as compared with check trees, however split applications of 3 to 4 ton/ha/year resulted in higher production. Lime rates greater than 6 ton/ha/year decreased fruit yields.