- T J Koen en G Smart
- Navorsingsinstituut vir Sitrus en Subtropiese Vrugte, Nelspruit
- 1988
Dit is belangrik dat jong, uitgeplante borne nie te gou bemes word nie. Hulle moet eers goed gevestig wees en sterk begin groei voordat enige toedienings gemaak behoort te word, verkieslik na ongeveer een jaar. Bemestingstowwe moet onder geen omstandighede teenaan die stam van die jong borne toegedien
word nie.
Kunsmis moet egalig ongeveer 0,2 m van die stam tot ongeveer 0,5 m buite die drup van die boom gestrooi word. Aangesien die lietsjieboom baie gevoelig vir wortelbeskadiging is, moet bemesting net voor ‘n ligte, beheerde besproeiing toegedien word. Dit is nie wenslik dat bemestingstowwe ingewerk word nie.
Summary:
- Newly planted litchi trees should not be fertilized too early; fertilization should start after about one year when trees are well established and growing vigorously.
- Fertilizer placement should be evenly spread from about 0.2 meters from the trunk to 0.5 meters beyond the drip line, avoiding direct contact with the trunk to prevent root damage.
- Fertilizer should be applied just before a light, controlled irrigation; it is unnecessary and undesirable to work the fertilizer into the soil.
- Fertilization schedules vary by tree age:
- 1st year: Nitrogen is divided into eight equal monthly applications of 25 g each during summer (September to April).
- 2nd to 5th year: Nitrogen is divided into five equal applications during summer.
- 6th year and older: Half of nitrogen is applied just before flowering and half after harvest.
- Phosphate fertilizer is applied entirely just after harvest.
- Potassium fertilizer is split, with half applied before flowering and half after harvest.
- Zinc spray should be applied every spring because soils often have low zinc availability; recommended materials include zinc oxide at 200 g/100 L water or NZN at 150 mL/100 L water.
- Boron spray is recommended every two years at 100 g borax or 75 g Solubor per 100 L water to address common boron deficiencies.
- Leaf and soil analyses are essential for accurate fertilization, as actual nutrient needs vary with soil type, climate, and cultural practices.
- It is strongly recommended to perform annual leaf and soil analyses once trees start producing fruit to tailor fertilization programs to orchard-specific needs.