Irrigation and Fertigation Trial in High Density Apples
Project goal: To determine optimal water and fertigation needs of high density Honeycrisp trees grown in sandy soils.
Project description: Honeycrisp apple trees on Nic 29 were planted at the NWMHRC in 2013. Eight hundred seventy trees were planted at 3’x12’ spacing and trained to a tall spindle system. Irrigation and fertigation trials were conducted in this block, and this planting also serves as a demonstration plot for pruning and training apples to the tall spindle system. The trees are planted with 9 trees per treatment and 10 replications in the block. The following irrigation/fertigation strategies were employed: 1) 2oz of N/tree/year + 0.25” of water, 2) 4oz of N/tree/year + 0.25” of water, 3) 2oz of N/tree/year + 0.50” of water per day, 4) 4oz of N/tree/year + 0.50” of water per day, 5) 0.25” of water per day, and 6) UTC. Yearly data collection included: trunk circumference; tree height, depth, width; yield per tree (lbs), number of fruit per tree; number of fruit with bitterpit; and fruit quality (color, size, brix, firmness).
Results: Irrigation Fertigation in Honeycrisp 2018
Project lead/collaborators: Nikki Rothwell
Funding sources: NWMHR Foundation funds
Start year: 2013
End year: 2019
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