About the Project

The objective of this project is, by means of fertilization schedules conducted with ¹⁵N labelled calcium nitrate, to achieve an optimized fertilization schedule for pear trees, which results in maximum N utilization efficiency, fruit yield and quality, balanced growth of the trees and minimum environmental impact. Specific objectives are: 

1. Determining the temporal evolution of the N fraction originating from calcium nitrate fertilization in organs of newly produced biomass (sampled organs include twigs, leaves, flower buds, fruit, bark, fine roots),
2. Determining the N use efficiency of calcium nitrate fertilization schedules during 
   one complete growing season, and
3. Determining the temporal dynamics of the N fraction from calcium nitrate fertilization in the xylem sap flow.

In order to accomplish this, eight-year-old pear trees are grown in pallet boxes (built as zero tension piezometers) and subjected to different fertilizer application regimes whereof at least one fraction of calcium nitrate is labelled with ¹⁵N (excluding the control group which receives no calcium nitrate). Additionally, this project aims at determining the ecophysiological response of pear trees exposed to the different fertilization schedules by using both continuous measurements (i.e. radial stem growth and sap flow) as well as discrete measurements (i.e. photosynthesis, transpiration and N distribution via spectral data).

Staff

• MSc. Ben Colpaert (PhD-student)

• Prof. Pascal Boeckx (promotor)
• Prof. Kathy Steppe (promotor)

Partners

• Laboratory of Plant Ecology

• Proefcentrum Fruitteelt vzw

• Bodemkundige Dienst België vzw 

Funders

• Vlaio
• VBT
• Boerenbond
• Yara
• Vlaco
• New Green
• Green Diamond
• Fresh Trade Belgium
• Zuid Limburgse Fruittelers