Commercial Fruit and Orchard Crops

Nutrient recommendations for individual crops as well as the entire "Commercial Fruit and Orchard Crops" can be viewed and printed by  clicking on the appropriate link below. All files are .PDF format. In order to print them you will need Adobe Reader.

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Section 3E: Commercial Fruit and Orchard Crops

1. Commercial Apples

2. Commercial Blueberries

3. Commercial Cherries

4. Commercial Peaches and Nectarines

5. Commercial Pears

6. Commercial Plums

7. Commercial Strawberries

8. Orchard Sod and Cover Crops

Calculating the Lime Recommendation

To determine the lime requirement for a field, follow these steps:

1. Select the appropriate lime table from the list below based upon the target pH of the crop as listed in the recommendation section.  Locate the value in the table where the Water pH row ( shown along the left side of table) and the Buffer pH column ( shown across the top of the table) intersect (see example). 
2. Determine whether a lime credit is necessary. Lime credits are used to account for any lime that was applied in the past 18 months which has not had a chance to react. The equation for calculating the lime credit and an example can be obtained by clicking here.
3. Determine the the type of lime recommended (e.g., calcitic or dolimitic) by clicking here .

University of Delaware Lime Tables

These tables are designed to be used with the Adams-Evans buffer pH. If the lime requirement test was performed by laboratory using a different buffer method, contact the laboratory for the appropriate lime tables.

Target pH 5.2  -- Blueberries;  non-scab resistant potatoes

Target pH 5.6  -- Acid loving plants;  black high organic matter soils

Target pH 6.0  -- Most Delaware crops

Target pH 6.2 -- Many commercial vegetable crops

Target pH 6.5  -- High Calcium demand crops, golf course turf,

Target pH 6.8 -- Alfalfa

All Lime Tables -- This .pdf file contains copies of all six lime tables for commercial crops.

Commercial Fruit and Orchard Crop Soil Test Notes

Soil Test Note 1: Explanation of Laboratory Tests

Soil Test Note 4: Micronutrient Fertilizers

Soil Test Note 5: Nitrogen Fertilizers

Soil Test Note 12: Fertilizing Fruit Crops