The Potential Role of Macronutrients N, P, and K in Prunus Armeniaca × Sibirica during Transition from Juvenile Stage to Adults

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop recommended macronutrient fertilization rates with the amount based on soil chemical analysis, yield, and leaf macronutrients, and to build a fast identification nutriture standard during the transition from the juvenile stage to adult in Prunus armeniaca × sibirica cultivation. The soil chemical and leaf macronutrients N, P, and K were the three main elements, and three yields at high, middle, and low levels were analyzed. The orthogonality experiment for the macronutrients N, P, K, and organic fertilizer in pot experiments was designed with four factors and five levels (L₂₅5⁴). The results showed that the production of apricot kernels was high when total nitrogen content was 0.075% ~ 0.089%, available nitrogen was 62.42 ~ 87.05 mg·kg^-1, organic matter was 1.31% ~ 2.19% in soil, and the total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively, were 17.50~19.48 mg·g^-1, 0.29 ~ 0.67 mg·g^-1, and 20.17 ~ 25.04 mg·g^-1 in leaves. Based on above results, the fertilizer amounts of 20 g pure nitrogen, 15 g pure phosphorus, 40 g pure potassium, and 400 g organic fertilizer were suitable for transition from the juvenile stage to adult in kernel-apricots.