Two Ways Almond Growers Can Maximize Economic Yield This Year
Foliar nutrition applied from early bloom through full bloom is an essential part of maximizing economic yield and reducing the negative effects of a dry season.
As California almond growers continue to experience light disease pressure as the result of a dry year, they have an opportunity to effectively reallocate fungicide resources to their nutritional programs and increase yield by making wise purchases. There are several special opportunities each season to impact tree nut nutrition in order to maximize economic yield.
In a previous article, we discussed the impacts of proper nutrition during the pink bud and early bloom window, but foliar applications are especially important from early bloom through full bloom, from petal fall through rapid leaf expansion and during bulking. This article looks at what growers need to do during this second critical yield point—early through full bloom—to impact nut set, size, and ultimately, yield.
From early bloom through full bloom, almond crops require continued support from seaweed, boron, molybdenum, calcium and phosphate. These nutrients can be used during this crop timing to impact nut set, as well as cell division, which contributes to nut size. Both nut set and nut size drive almond yield at harvest.
Therefore, growers must be proactive about foliar applications during this essential crop window. There are two ways to do this: The process may begin with an application of Vigor-SeaCal™ tank mixed with Agrobest® 9-24-3 fertilizer or with Cal Sea-Set™ following the initial application of Vigor-SeaCal™ and Agrobest® 9-24-3 during the pink bud to early bloom crop timing.
The nutrients in these three products work together to produce more nut set, size and weight, as well as lengthen bloom and extend pollen and bloom viability. This holistic approach is necessary for almond growers to dramatically and consistently improve economic yield. Grower cost and expenses continue to increase, so grower yield must increase to compensate for this issue. Science-based nutrition programs are the best ways to do that.
In a third article, Agro-K will discuss the importance of science-driven nutrition during petal fall and rapid leaf expansion to increase almond tree efficiency, and in a fourth and final article, we will share ways to minimize the negative impacts of heat stress and drought during bulking. Check out agro-k.com for more information throughout the growing season.