Planting conditions of apples

Apple is native to central and southeast Europe, Central Asia and China. It has been cultivated in China for more than 2000 years. The main producing areas in China are Baishui, Tianshui, Yantai, Jixian, Yiyuan and so on. Let's take a look at the growing conditions of apples.

Rainfall requirement

During the growing period, apples need about 180 mm of precipitation per mu of land. General natural precipitation, the actual use of fruit trees to absorb about 1x3, so that the growing period of precipitation can have 540 mm, is enough. Irrigation is needed in areas where the precipitation is less than 450 mm from April to September. The distribution of precipitation in northern China is uneven. 70% of the precipitation is concentrated between July and August, while there is a shortage of water in spring. In the inland areas with little precipitation, the amount of water is insufficient, so when selecting land for the construction of the garden, we must consider the irrigation conditions and soil moisture conservation measures, as well as drainage measures in the rainy season.

Light condition

Apple is a light-loving tree species. Only when there is enough light can the apple grow normally. According to the determination of Shandong Agricultural University, the light compensation point of Golden Crown and New Red Star in Taian area is 600-800 meters candlelight, and the saturation point is 3500-4500 meters candlelight. In this range, the light intensity increases and the photosynthesis is also enhanced. Insufficient sunshine will cause a series of reactions, such as excessive growth of branches and leaves, weakness, poor resistance to diseases and insect pests, less flower bud differentiation, less nutrient storage, low flowering and fruit setting rate, low root growth, low sugar content and poor coloring.

Soil environment

Soil has a great influence on the growth, yield and quality of apples. The main factors are soil layer, soil aeration and soil quality. In short, apples need deep soil, good drainage, rich in organic matter, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Temperature condition

Apple trees are temperate fruit trees that like low temperature and dryness, requiring no severe cold in winter and no heat in summer. The suitable temperature range is that the annual average temperature is 9: 14 ℃, the extremely low temperature in winter is not less than-12 ℃, the maximum monthly average temperature in summer is not higher than 20 ℃, the annual accumulated temperature of 10 ℃ in ≥ is about 5000 ℃, the average temperature in growing season (from April to October) is 12: 18 ℃, and the low temperature below 7.2 ℃ in winter is 1200 to 1500 hours in order to pass the natural dormancy smoothly. It is generally believed that apples can be cultivated in areas where the annual average temperature is 7.5-14 ℃. Apples have a long period of natural dormancy. If the winter temperature is high and can not meet the low temperature needed in the winter dormancy period, the spring sprouting is uneven.

From the point of view of the region with the largest number of cultivated apples in the world, the average temperature in the coldest months in winter (January in the Northern Hemisphere and July in the Southern Hemisphere) is between-10 and 10 ℃ in order to meet the low temperature requirements of apples. The average temperature in January in all major apple producing areas in China is within this limit. During the growing period (April to October), the average temperature is 12: 18 ℃, and the average temperature in summer (June to August) is 18: 24 ℃, which is the most suitable for apple growth. The summer temperature is too high, the average temperature is more than 26 ℃, the apple flower bud differentiation is poor. The heat is insufficient, the flower bud differentiation is not good, the fruit is small and sour, the color is poor, not resistant to storage. In autumn, when the temperature is high during the day and low at night, the fruit has high sugar content, good coloring, thick pericarp, more fruit powder and resistant to storage.