Integrated Nutrition Program in Cherry (Prunus avium L.

) ‘Lapins’, in the
VI Region of Chile, Based on Soil Bioinoculants and Organic Matter
L. Flores1, M.M. Martínez2 and R. Ortega2
1 ASP Chile SA, Burgos N° 80, of. 402, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile
2 Technical University Federico Santa Maria, Santa Maria N° 6400, Vitacura, Santiago,
Chile

Keywords: bioinoculant, organic matter, cherry, rhizogenesis

Abstract
Fertilization is indispensable in maintaining chemical quality of soil, avoiding
nutritional imbalance in trees and obtaining high quality consistent production with the
least possible environmental effect. Reduction of environmental impact can be
accomplished with sustainable agricultural practices such as a soil handling, rational
use of fertilizers and watering, use of high quality organic matter and commercial
bioinoculants based on selected beneficial microorganisms which allow promotion of
plant growth. In this research, we evaluated the use of integrated nutrition handling in
orchards of 8-year-old ‘Lapins’ cherry (Prunus avium L.) established on clay loam soil,
located in Requinoa Commune, VI region of Chile. Two treatments were established
(T1: conventional fertilization, T2: integrated nutrition), on a random block design with
five repetitions. The integrated nutrition treatment included reduction of chemical
fertilization of NPK of 50% in relation to the conventional treatment that consisted of
60 kg/ha, 15 kg P2O5/ha based on Entec 26®, phosphoric acid, potassium nitrate
distributed on applications in spring and post-harvest, in spite of application of 15 kg
de C/ha as Liberex 85%® (50% of carboxylic acids, 30% of fulvic acids and 5% of
organic acids) and 30 L/ha of commercial inoculant Soil Builder® (1*106 ufc/ml,
carbonated basis, nutrients, ureases, phosphatases and plant hormones). Five months
after the application of bioinoculant and organic matter, measurements were taken on
the production of root dry matter and fruit quality parameters such as yield, soluble
solids, pulp pressure, fruit dry matter and fruit size. The results were analyzed by
ANOVA. The integrated nutrition treatment was significantly (p<0.05) better in terms
of root dry matter (15% increase), fruit dry matter (5% increase) and fruit yield (8%
increase). There were not statistical treatment effects on soluble solids, pulp firmness
and fruit size. This study suggests that inoculation of microorganisms and organic
matter contributes to benefit cherry trees, and improves rhizogenic effect, increasing
and maintaining fruit quality parameters, establishing themselves as useful tools of
integrated nutrition handling in order to accomplish sustainable cherry production and
soil quality through time.

INTRODUCTION
The rational application of synthetic fertilizers is indispensable to maintain an
adequate level of fertility in soil, avoid nutritional imbalance in trees and obtain high quality
constant production throughout seasons. Therefore a fundamental role is played by
integrated nutritional management that includes evaluating aspects such as physical,
chemical and biological properties of soil and water as a nutritional source, given the
growing interest in environmental and sustainable aspects of soil and water resources
(Sylvia et al., 2005). Because of this, it is necessary to consider new trends and perspectives
on clean and organic integrated production that introduce the application of agricultural
techniques such as soil handling, rational use of fertilization and watering, use of packaged
organic matter and soil bioinoculants based on selected beneficial microorganisms that may
help to promote the plant growing and attain high quality fruit production with a lower
environmental impact.
The diazotrophic bacteria has been considered important to agriculture owing to
produces phytohormones as auxins, cytokinins and gibberellins, substances which

Proc. IInd IS on Organic Matter Mgt. and Compost Use in Hort.

Eds.: R. Ortega Blu et al. 187
Acta Hort. 1076, ISHS 2015
encourage the plant development. These bacteria can affect the root growing and osmotic
stress resistance by increasing chlorophyll, K, Ca, soluble sugars and proteins and increase
P in the tissue by their action on phosphate dissolution and soil minerals (Vessey, 2003;
Kennedy et al., 2004). It has been reported that bioinoculants produce more vegetative
growth and a greater height in rice plants (Biswas et al., 2000) and an increase of the
nutrient content in wheat and cotton plants (Narula et al., 2005). The increase in dry matter
and nutrient absorption in inoculated wheat with microorganism of the Rhizobium genre
could be the effect of colonization, phosphate solubility and growth hormone production of
this microorganism (Chabot et al., 1998).
Soils of the central valley of VI region of Chile with agricultural interest generally
possess phosphorus and zinc deficiencies (Rodriguez, 1985) and copper levels that increase
in the season (Camacho, 2010). Some microbial species have been related to phosphate
solubility on the rhizosphere of the plants (Rodriguez and Fraga, 1999; Narula et al., 2005;
Reyes et al., 2006). The goal of this research is that evaluates the use of an integrated
nutrition program in ‘Lapins’ cherry (Prunus avium L.), reducing chemical fertilization and
adding at the same time organic matter and bioinoculants of soil in order to maintain yield
and fruit quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sampling Locations
The study was conducted on a ‘Lapins’ cherry orchard, belonging to Sociedad
Agrícola Ponderosa, located 5 km north-west in Requinoa commune (Latitude 33°55’S;
Longitude 70°42”W), Province of Cachapoal, VI region of Chile. The trees were 8-years
old parcel and planted on a rootstock Pontaleb.
Soil was characterized in terms of pH, organic matter, electrical conductivity (EC),
available N, available P, available K, extractable K, extractable Ca, extractable Na,
extractable Mg, Cu, Fe and Zn in order to establish the conventional fertilization plan to
apply (Table 1).

Established Treatments and Experimental Design

By a random complete block design and during agricultural season 2011/2012, the
treatments listed in Table 2 were evaluated.
Liberex 85%® is a product based on carboxylic acids of 50% and fulvic acids of
30%, which is produced to increase absorption, assimilation and mobilization of nutrients
intended to a improve plant development, and achieve higher production (ASP, 2013).
Soilbuilder® is a microbial inoculant, based on beneficial microorganisms selected from
soil at a concentration of 1*106 ufc/ml (colony forming units/ml solution), more urease and
phosphatase enzymes and plant hormones. This product is intended to improve conversion
of organic and inorganic fertilizers to nutrients can be assimilated by the plants. As an
inoculant based on plant growth-promoting microorganisms, it could benefit nutrient
availability, soil structure improvement by forming stable aggregates, improving water
infiltration by forming macro and micropores and decreasing soil compaction (ASP, 2013).

Analyzed Parameters
1. Fruit Production and Fruit Size. Fruit production was measures as fruit yield at harvest
(kg/plant). Fruit size was estimated by measuring fruit diameter according to the following
categories: Large (L: 22-23.9 mm), Extra Large (EL: 24-25.9 mm), Jumbo (J: 26-27.9 mm),
Extra Jumbo (EJ: 28-30 mm) and Extra Super Jumbo (ESJ: >30 mm) (according to Table
of Chilean Exporters Association A.G., 097/2006).
2. Fruit Total Soluble Solids and Firmness. From 5 established replications corre-
sponding to 20 trees, 100 fruit/tree were extracted, which means 2000 fruit/treatment. Total
soluble solids (°Brix) and fruit firmness in Lb were measured, using a optic refractometer
(Refratec DR-A1) and firmness tester (Durofel Model DFT 100, Agro-Technologie),
respectively. The above fruit measurements were done on the day of the harvest.

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3. Fruit Dry Matter and K Content. A sample of 20 fruit from each replicate was
extracted, which means 100 fruit/treatment and sent to the CATA LAB (Soil, Plant, Water
and Environment Lab) of Federico Santa María Technical University to measure fruit dry
Matter content (%, w/w) and K content (mg/100 g dry fruit). Samples were transported at
4°C to the University Lab, where they were processed in the same day.
4. Root Density. After harvest, which would be after of the second phenological flush of
root growth, a 20 cm deep soil sample with roots was extracted by a drill which had a
cylinder of known volume (166 cm3). The root density was evaluated on a fresh weight and
dry weight basis as mg/cm3 of soil. Four drills/plant were taken, one on each of the 4 sides
of the plant, in 10 plants distributed in each of 5 treatment replicates, totalling 40
observations. The samples were transported at 4°C to the CATA Lab of Federico Santa
María Technical University.

Statistical Analysis
Results obtained from the lab and field evaluations were analysed by Variance
ANOVA using a significance level of p<0.05 using EZAnalyze® 3.0 program of Microsoft.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The integrated nutrition program had a significant on root density and some fruit
quality parameters, compared with the conventional treatment (Table 3). Integrated
nutrition, compared with conventional nutrition, increased root density (mg/cm3 of soil) by
15%, fruit yield (kg/tree) by 8%, fruit dry matter (%) by 5% and fruit K content (mg/100 g
dry fruit) by 14%.
Our results agree with Hargreaves et al. (2008) indicate that soil microorganisms
play an important role in plant nutrition, as they make nutrients available that are required
by plants for their growth. The increased availability is likely through the mineralization of
organic matter that makes nutrients like NH4 and PO4 available. These activities will depend
directly on the soil organic matter content. Another kind of rhizospheric microorganism
benefit is the synthesis of organic compounds such as phytohormones that stimulate
rhizogenesis and plant growth, as well as forming of soil aggregates by extracellular
polysaccharide synthesis (Sylvia et al., 2005).
According to Black (1993) inoculants that increase the area of root absorption (e.g.,
more root growth, greater root density, more rhizogenesis), increase nutrient absorption
capacity. At the same time, the metabolic activity of microorganisms absorbs a portion of
nutrients that are in soil organic matter. Although it is a low quantity, it represents a nutrient
reserve that microorganisms mineralize for themselves and for the plant. Mengel and
Kirkby (1987) state that soil nutrients come naturally from mineralization through
microbial enzymes activity in which polymers containing N, P, K and micronutrients
degrade and release minerals to the soil matrix and are available for the plants.
A meaningful performance indicator is dry matter. A which is a measure of the
plant’s ability to transform CO2 and nutrients into biomass a result of photosynthesis and
absorption of soil minerals, (Mengel and Kirkby, 1987). Root dry matter and root density
is an indicator of nutrient assimilation capacity of the plant and consequently indicates
indirectly the availability of the nutrients in the soil (Blasco et al., 2010).
In regard to total soluble solids (°Brix) and fruit firmness (Lb), no statistical
differences were found, which suggests that fruit quality conditions were not affected in
spite of having reduced the chemical fertilization based on NPK by half in relation to
conventional fertilization plan.
By analyzing the size distribution as a percentage, is seen in the table there are no
significant statistical differences between treatments for the different categories, however
a tendency to shift the distribution curve is observed towards larger sizes 5% difference the
benefit of the Integrated Nutrition.
Finally, it is necessary for further evaluation of soil bioinoculant incorporation along
with organic matter in different kinds of soils, crops and cherry cultivars, as they are useful

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and complementary tools to develop a rational and integrated nutrition plan in order to
maintain sustainable levels of fruit production and quality.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was funded by ASP Chile SA.

Literature Cited
ASP Chile SA. 2013. www.asp-chile.cl.
Black, C.H. 1993. Soil Fertility Evaluation and Control. Lewis Publishers, United States of
America. p.24-25.
Chabot, R., Beauchamp, C.H., Kloepper, J. and Antoun, H. 1998. Effect of phosphorus on
root colonization and growth promotion of maize by bioluminescent mutants of
phosphate-solubilizing Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli. Soil Biol. Bioch.
30:1615-1618.
Chilean Exporters Association, A.G. Circular N° 097/2006. Cherries ranking by size.
Santiago, August 21, 2006.
Hargreaves, J., Adl, M. and Warman, P. 2008. A review of the use of composted municipal
soil waste in agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 123:1-14.
Mengel, K. and Kirkby, E. 1987. Principles of Plant Nutrition. 4th Edition. International
Potash Institute, Bern, Switzerland. p.11-19, 25-94, 113, 247.
Narula, N., Kumar, V., Singh, B., Bhatia, R. and Lakshminarayana, K. 2005. Impact of
biofertilizers on grain yield in spring wheat under varying fertility conditions and
wheat-cotton rotation. Arch. Agron. Soil Sci. 51(1):79-89.
Reyes, I., Valery, A. and Valduz, Z. 2006. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms isolated
from rhizospheric and bulk soil of colonizer plants at abandoned rock phosphate mine.
Plant Soil 287:69-75.
Rodríguez, H. and Fraga, R. 1999. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria and their role in plant
growth promotion. Biotechnol. Adv. 17:319-339.
Sylvia, D., Fuhrmann, J., Hartel, P. and Zuberer, D. 2005. Principles and Applications of
Soil Microbiology, 2nd Edition. Pearson, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA. p.29, 35, 54,
333, 463.

Tables

Table 1. Conventional fertilization plan of Agricola La Ponderosa, during 2011-12 season,

based on soil analysis.

Phase Product kg/ha kg N/ha kg P2O5/ha kg K2O/ha

Growing season Entec 26® 65 17
Phosphoric acid 25 15
Potassium nitrate 178 26 80
Post-harvest Entec 26® 65 17
Total (kg/ha) 60 15 80

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Table 2. Establishment of treatments.

Treatments Description
T1 Conventional fertilization
T2 Integrated nutrition
Chemical fertilization of reduced NPK
of 50% conventional fertilization +
Liberex 85% (15 kg/ha) +
Soil Builder (30 L/ha)

Table 3. Effect of integrated nutrition, compared with conventional fertilization, on cherry

root density and fruit quality. Comparison of means of different parameters in relation
to the two treatments, using ANOVA (* indicates statistically significant differences
p0.05).

Conventional Integrated
Parameters Units fertilization nutrition
Root density mg roots/m3 soil 2.02 2.35 *
Fruit yield (kg/tree) 4.21 4.62 *
Fruit dry matter (%, w/w) 20.5 21.5 *
Fruit K content mg/100 g dry fruit 520 600 *
Total soluble solids °Brix 16.1 16.4
Fruit firmness
Pounds 61/57 61.3/58.2
Clear/Dark
Distribution of size
L 0 0
EL 0 0
%
J 22,3 16,4
EJ 49,2 50,2
SEJ 28,3 33,3

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