Soil fertility: Plant nutrition vis-à-vis fruit yield and quality of stone fruits

Abstract

The main goal of each fruit grower is the achievement of a high yield followed by excellent fruit quality with high nutritional and health value. This can be achieved by introduction of new genotypes that have a high bearing potential and appropriate rootstocks and the application of modern cultivation technologies in adequate pedoclimatic conditions. However, a very important individual factor in achieving this goal is the rational application of organic and mineral fertilizers. To achieve a regular, high, and stable yield, followed by excellent fruit quality, the reserves of nutrients in the soil from year to year have to be supplemented by orchard fertilizing. Namely, soluble and available amounts of nutrients in the soil are limited, and in addition, their loss is evident through yield, erosion, and drained water. The importance of essential macro- and microelements in the nutrition of fruit trees has long been recognized. Inadequate fertilization has been associated with the development of physiological disorders and pollution in many types of fruits. Also, inadequate fertilization causes major ecological problems (polluted land, water, and air). Modern people do not want contaminated food, that is, fruits, of course, and polluted environment. Clearly, the loss of quality through development of disorders and pollutions has a major negative economic impact. This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge on the soil fertility; importance of fertilization of fruit trees, especially stone fruits; role of essential macro- and microelements in stone fruit trees; relationship between soil conditions and nutrients; and stone fruit fertilization to improve yield and fruit quality. Also, this chapter will emphasize the main methods utilized in the diagnosis of the nutritional state of plants, like chemical foliar analysis, soil testing, and visual observation. The linked information in the present chapter was obtained from an extensive literature review and also was inserted professional works and experiences of the authors. We believe that our overview opens new prospective in the fertilization management in stone fruit orchards allowing reduction of input without negative influence on yield, fruit quality, environment, and human health.