Apple/Pear – Lima Europe

The Apple tree belongs to the Rosaceae family, species Malus Pumila. Malus pumila is a deciduous tree growing up to 5 metres tall in cultivation and up to 9 metres tall in the wild. It has a life time of about 60-80 years. It is one of the most widely cultivated fruit trees in temperate regions of the world, growing in over 93 countries. Selection over thousands of years has produced an enormous diversity of apple cultivars varying in shape, colour, sweetness, crispness and storability. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Cox, Pink Lady, Royal Gala and Bramley represent just a few apple varieties found in supermarkets in temperate countries.

Climate: It is more resistant to cold than the pear tree and does not need so much heat and light for ripening. It suffers less with the cold than with the heat and prefers humid to dry climates. The flowers are sensitive to late spring frosts, the use of anti-freeze irrigation or other protection systems are common in areas with high risk. The apple tree tolerates temperatures lower than -10ºC, without affecting the tree bark, although when descending below -15ºC some floral buds may be lost.

Soil: The apple tree is not demanding in terms of soil but it needs well drained soils. The best crops are found on fertile sandy and loamy soils.

pH: 5.5-7

The Pear tree belongs to the Rosaceae family, genus Pyrus. The pear is native to coastal and mildly temperate regions from Europe to Western Asia. It is a medium-sized tree, reaching 10–17 metres tall, often with a tall, narrow crown; a few species are shrubby.

Climate: It grows well in temperate and somewhat humid climates, being more resistant to cold than to heat. The most suitable climate is characterized by winters with sufficient winter cold, few frost and late spring and sunny summers with temperatures not very high, although the existing varietal range allows their cultivation in different climates within the temperate zone.

Soil: This fruit tree is demanding in terms of soil. It only grows well in loamy-clay and siliceous soils, healthy and permeable soils. It requires homogeneous and deep soils, neither too dry nor too humid.

pH: 6.5-7.5

Tree	N	P2O5	K2O
kg/t fruit
Apple	2.5	0.8	2.69
Pear	2.5	0.73	2.78

Tree	Yield	N	P2O5	K2O	Country
Apple	40,000 kg/ha	100	35	110	Spain
Pear	30,000 kg/ha	75	25	85	Spain
Apple	80,000 kg/ha	151	67	201	Spain
Pear	40,000 kg/ha	75-100	30-50	150-200	Benelux-Germany

Stage	N	P2O5	K2O
Bud burst-Fruit set	15-25	25-35	5-15
Fruit set-Fruit maturity	65-45	65-50	85-70
Harvest-Falling leaf	20-30	10-15	10-15

Fertigation nutrient distribution (kg/ha)
Months	N	P2O5	K2O
Mar	15	18	16.5
Apr	25.5	14	18
May	28	5	21
Jun	25.5	5	27
Jul	12	5	37
Aug	12	6	41.5
Sep	5	2	5
Oct	10	5	10
Total	133	60	176

Fertigation nutrient distribution (kg/ha)
Months	N	P2O5	K2O
Mar	15	10	20
Apr	20	15	30
May	32	20	40
Jun	35	10	40
Jul	20	5	35
Aug	6	0	5
Sep	6	5	5
Oct	10	5	10
Total	140	70	185

Foliar fertilizers

Foliar fertilization is the fastest and most effective method to supplement and enrich plant nutrition and to correct nutritional deficiencies when needed. This contributes significantly to higher and better quality productions.

Calcium, Boron, Zinc and other micronutrients are also applied via foliar. Lima Europe has a wide range of foliar fertilizers and special products for foliar application.

To verify the safe rate under local conditions, it is advisable to spray recommended rate on a few plants. After 3-4 days check the tested plants for scorching symptoms.

Fertilizer Guide

Nutritional requirements

Fertigation recommendations

Foliar fertilizers

Apple/Pear fertilizer program