Nitrogen Dynamics in Fruit Tree Systems

Perennial fruit trees rely on a complex interplay of soil, plant and management processes to cycle nitrogen (N) efficiently. In orchard systems, external N inputs from mineral or organic fertilisers are taken up by fine roots and driven into seasonal growth, fruit development and storage in perennial organs. Internal remobilisation of N stored during dormancy sustains early‐season growth before root uptake resumes. At the ecosystem scale, roots, trees, understorey vegetation and soil microorganisms exchange N through mineralisation, fixation and immobilisation, while losses occur via leaching, denitrification and ammonia volatilisation. Balancing N supply with tree demand enhances yield and fruit quality, reduces environmental impacts and underpins climate mitigation by promoting soil carbon sequestration. Recent advances in precision management—such as controlled‐release formulations, fertigation strategies and in situ sensor networks—seek to synchronise N availability with phenological stages, optimise nutrient recovery and minimise N export from orchards.

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Nitrogen Dynamics in Fruit Tree Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nitrogen dynamics in fruit tree systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE): The proportion of applied N that is taken up and utilised by the tree for growth, fruit production and storage.

Remobilisation: The internal transfer of N from storage organs (wood and roots) to support new leaf and fruit development in spring.

Fertigation: The application of dissolved fertiliser through irrigation systems, allowing controlled delivery of N throughout the growing season.

Mineralisation: The microbial process converting organic N compounds in soil into inorganic ammonium, making N available for plant uptake.

References

1. Increasing nitrogen cycling in deciduous fruit orchards and vineyards to enhance N use efficiency and reduce N losses – A review. European Journal of Agronomy (2025).
2. Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Tree Growth and Nutrient Content in Soil and Cherry Leaves (Prunus cerasus L.). Agriculture (2023).
3. Nitrogen Nutrition of Fruit Trees to Reconcile Productivity and Environmental Concerns. Plants (2018).
4. System nutrient dynamics in orchards: a research roadmap for nutrient management in apple and kiwifruit. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2022).
5. Application of Bag-Controlled Release Fertilizer Facilitated New Root Formation, Delayed Leaf, and Root Senescence in Peach Trees and Improved Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency. Frontiers in Plant Science (2021).
6. Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Allocation, and Remobilization in Apple Trees: Uptake Is Optimized With Pre-harvest N Supply. Frontiers in Plant Science (2021).
7. Nutrient Storage in the Perennial Organs of Deciduous Trees and Remobilization in Spring – A Study in Almond (Prunus dulcis) (Mill.) D. A. Webb. Frontiers in Plant Science (2020).
8. Use of In Situ Soil Solution Electric Conductivity to Evaluate Mineral N in Commercial Orchards: Preliminary Results. Horticulturae (2020).