Optimizing Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilization Rates for Fruit Performance of Chinese Cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl.)

ABSTRACT Attempts had been made to optimize nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization rates for increased fruit performance of Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl.). This study was conducted using a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of three factors and four levels, totaling to 14 treatments with each treatment repeated in triplicate. The results illustrated that the fertilization application increased the trunk, leaf, crown and new shoot growth, however, the optimal combination of N, P, and K (NPK) fertilization for growth varied among different parts of the young tree. Moreover, the fruit weight and size, internal quality, and fruit set rate (FSR) were positively affected by fertilization. Specifically, the no. 12 treatment (0.3 kg N + 0.4 kg P + 0.2 kg K) contained the optimal NPK combination for enhanced fruit size and cherry fruit set. Similarly, although the treatment is not the maximum of NPK concentration, the no. 12 treatment for mean daily values of Pn (MDVP) and the NPK concentration in leaf was significantly higher compared to other treatments. Additionally, Pearson’s correlation analysis suggests that the FSR was positively and significantly correlated with fruit weight (FW), fruit vertical diameter (FVD) and the soluble sugars (SS) in fruit. In general, the no. 12 treatment was the optimal NPK fertilization rates for young tree growth, fruit quality of Chinese cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus Lindl.) in the Karst region of southwest China.