Adjusting fertility programs is a normal part of managing California tree crops—but knowing when to make changes and when to stay steady can make a big difference in long-term production. In today’s Agronomic Minute, Dylan Rogers, Sales Account Manager for AgroLiquid, shared his perspective on how growers can use data to fine-tune programs without overreacting.
Rogers emphasized that fertility programs should never be completely locked in. With today’s tools, growers have the ability to monitor orchard nutrition and make informed adjustments throughout the season. “With the ability to pull tissue samples and pay attention to soil samples, we can always be adjusting,” he said.
When tissue results show deficiencies—such as low zinc or potassium—Rogers encourages growers to dig deeper instead of simply adding more fertilizer. In some cases, nutrient uptake issues may be caused by underlying soil conditions like high sodium or excess salts that interfere with availability. Identifying and addressing those barriers can lead to better results than increasing application rates alone.
While adjustments are important, Rogers cautioned against making drastic changes based on short-term challenges. Fertility programs should always be viewed through a long-term lens. “You are fertilizing next year’s crop,” he reminded growers. Even in difficult seasons marked by frost, poor pollination, or lighter crop loads, completely cutting back fertility can create problems down the road.
Rogers recommends maintaining a solid baseline fertility program and making small, targeted tweaks as needed. That approach allows growers to respond to real-time data without sacrificing future productivity. Cutting programs to save money in a low-crop year may feel logical in the moment, but it often leads to reduced performance and higher costs in the following season.
By combining soil and tissue testing with a steady, long-term strategy, growers can make confident fertility decisions that support both the current crop and the one still being built for next year.
For more information, visit AgroLiquid.com.