Stone Fruit - cherries, plums and apricots

How to increase stone fruit yield?

The right combination of an optimum fruit load on the tree and a high fruit weight or size is essential to achieve high stone fruit yields. A farmer can influence the number of fruits per tree and the size of the fruits through a proper nutrient management. By choosing a balanced crop nutrition approach, farmers can optimize yield and investment in fertilizer while minimizing the opportunity for excess nutrients to negatively impact the environment.

Crop nutrition programmes and nutrient deficiency information

See our fertiliser programmes and nutrient deficiency information for a specific crop. Begin by choosing your crop.

Yara agronomist advice on stone fruit

How to increase stone fruit number

Whereas the effect of nitrogen on the number of fruits per tree is not clear, particularly phosphorus and magnesium have been found to increase fruit number. Boron, iron and zinc also support higher yields by helping the tree to produce more fruits.

Reducing Storage Rots in Stone Fruit

Storage rots are caused by a range of pathogens including Botrytis cinerea, Geotrichum, Alternaria, Phomopsis, Penicillium sp, Rhizopus, Saccharomyces sp, and Cladosporium sp.

Stone Fruit – Application Strategies

It is important to incorporate good levels of phosphorus within the root zone before planting the orchard. In established orchards, dry-applied fertilizers can be broadcast across the soil surface or banded underneath the leaf canopy drip-line.

See all stone fruit articles

Do you need to make better informed nutrient decisions?

Yara has developed various tools and services to help farmers make the correct nutritional decisions and maximise their return on investment in fertiliser. Here is your fruit tree toolbox!

Soil analysis - to identify limiting factors

Leaf analysis - to identify nutrient deficiencies

CheckIT - to identify nutrient deficiencies

Tankmix IT - to check physical compatibilities

See all the tools