Soil Nutrient Management in Tree Crop Systems

Soil nutrient management in tree crop systems underpins both productivity and sustainability in orchards and agroforestry. Effective management addresses the unique challenges posed by perennial woody plants, including deep and extensive root systems, seasonal nutrient demands and long-term soil–plant feedbacks. Central to this is the balance between supplying essential macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and maintaining soil health through organic matter and microbial activity. Modern approaches integrate precision application of inorganic fertilisers with organic amendments to enhance nutrient use efficiency, reduce losses via leaching or volatilisation and support beneficial soil biota. Diagnostic tools such as leaf and soil analyses inform tailored fertilisation plans, while emerging interest in slow-release formulations and biofertilisers aims to synchronise nutrient availability with tree uptake. Globally, improving nutrient management in tree crops contributes to fruit quality, resource conservation and mitigation of environmental impacts, aligning with sustainable intensification and climate-smart agriculture.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have evaluated partial substitution of conventional NPK fertilisers with alternative sources in citrus orchards. Trials using slow-release and bio-based fertilisers demonstrated that, although full chemical NPK ensured peak yield and fruit quality in lemon trees, blended treatments maintained competitive fruit weight and quality metrics while reducing total synthetic input. These findings highlight the potential to lower production costs and environmental footprint without compromising commercial performance. Emphasis was placed on juice acidity, total soluble solids and vitamin C concentration, which remained within acceptable ranges under mixed fertiliser regimens, suggesting viable pathways for integrating bio-amendments into established fertilisation schemes.

Soil Nutrient Management in Tree Crop Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in soil nutrient management in tree crop systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nutrient use efficiency: The proportion of applied nutrient that is taken up and utilised by the plant.

Mineralisation: Microbial conversion of organic matter into plant-available inorganic nutrients.

Soil buffering capacity: The ability of soil to resist changes in pH and nutrient availability.

Leaf nutrient sufficiency range: The optimal concentration of nutrients in leaf tissue for healthy growth and yield.

Biofertiliser: A formulation of living microorganisms that promotes nutrient availability and uptake by plants.

References

1. Partially substituting chemical NPK fertilizers and their impact on Eureka lemon trees (Citrus limon L. Burm) productivity and fruit quality. Scientific Reports (2023).
2. Large Chestnut Trees Did Not Respond to Annual Fertiliser Applications, Requiring a Long-Term Approach to Establishing Effective Fertilisation Plans. Soil Systems (2023).
3. Organic Fertilization and Tree Orchards. Agriculture (2021).