What are the common fertilization methods?

Both base fertilizer and topdressing should be applied in the area where the root system is concentrated (Figure 4), so that the root system can absorb nutrients to the maximum extent and improve the utilization rate of the fertilizer. Therefore, reasonable fertilization methods should be adopted according to the growth and development characteristics of apricot trees to avoid the loss of fertilizer nutrients and the fixation of effective nutrients caused by chemical reactions in the soil. Commonly used fertilization methods (Figure 5) are:

Fig. 4 Fertilization position

Fig. 5 Fertilization method

(1) Ring-furrow fertilization method Generally, young trees adopt ring-furrow fertilization method, which can be combined with deep turning and hole expansion measures. The specific method is to dig an annular ditch in the autumn of 1 ~ 2 years after young trees are planted, with an inner diameter of 50 cm, an outer diameter of 80 ~ 90 cm and a ditch depth of 30 ~ 50 cm. Then fill the ring ditch with organic fertilizer, and finally return the soil to fill it up. When applying base fertilizer for the second time, we should dig ditches with the outer diameter of the first time as the inner diameter of the second ring ditch until the adjacent plants are connected, and then change the fertilization method. (2) The radial ditching method is to dig about 6 radial ditching lines from inside to outside at a distance of about 1 m from the trunk under the crown. The requirement for the ditch is shallow inside and deep outside, and the position should be rotated every year. The depth of ditching is 30 ~ 50 cm, the width is about 50 cm, and the length depends on the amount of fertilization. (3) furrow fertilization, i.e. furrow fertilization along apricot trees or alternately. This fertilization method is convenient for mechanized operation, but the tillage depth and fertilization effect are not as good as those of ring furrow application and radiation furrow application.