How to Maximize Economic Yield in Almonds from Petal Fall to Rapid Leaf Expansion
Foliar nutrition continues to be essential throughout the almond growing season.
Throughout the almond growing season, there are six critical yield points that impact economic yield. Growers must pay attention to nutrition during these times, from pink bud to rapid leaf expansion and all the way to bulking.
In the previous two articles, Agro-K discussed the importance of science-driven foliar nutrition from early bloom though full bloom—especially during a dry year. This article addresses another crop window growers must manage in order to positively impact leaf size and the chlorophyll development inside the leaves: petal fall through rapid leaf expansion.
Leaf size and chlorophyll development are essential for carbohydrate production, which is particularly important for improving return bloom, increasing nut size, reducing May-June drop and enhancing long-term tree health. Having the right science-driven nutrition program ensures almond growers deliver complete foliar applications that will be most effective and efficient at producing maximum carbohydrates and yield.
During petal fall, growers should apply Agrobest® 9-24-3 fertilizer and Vigor-SeaCal™. This application will be complimented by an application of Agro-K’s new Micro-Sea Mix™, which contains a complete micronutrient blend for chlorophyll development, as well as seaweed, zinc, and molybdenum. At rapid leaf expansion, Sysstem Leaf Max™, Agrobest® 9-24-3 fertilizer and Vigor-SeaCal™ provide the right nutritional mix to promote a consistently high-yield harvest, better return bloom and less May-June nut drop.
Almond crop’s nutritional needs will continue into harvest. In a fourth and final article, Agro-K will discuss the importance of science-driven nutrition during nut bulking and peak drought stress in order to support the tree nut’s increasing demand for potassium. Proactively addressing this need with foliar- and soil-applied potassium ensures more pounds of nuts per unit of water, better nut drop and fewer stick-tights at harvest. Check out agro-k.com for more information throughout the growing season.