Nitrogen (15N) fertiliser use efficiency in peach (Prunus persica L.) cv. Goldencrest trees in Chile

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of timing and method of splitting fertiliser N application on the total N accumulation and recoveries of the applied N-15 labelled fertiliser in peach (Prunus persica L.) cultivar Golden Crest trees in the Central Valley of Chile. A single application of 100 kg N ha(-1) in late summer (post-harvest application) and the 100 kg N ha(-1) in two-split application (half in late summer, half in spring) were equally efficient in contributing of total nitrogen and fertiliser N uptake. Nitrogen applied in late summer was absorbed with higher efficiency than that supplied in spring. As the fertiliser N use efficiency was low (8.3-12.7%) under the experimental conditions there is a high potential risk of groundwater pollution. Therefore, the two-split application would be preferably recommended together with a careful management of irrigation water. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.