A study of nitrogen and phosphate fertigation in pear trees shows no differences in yield or fruit quality between trees that are fertigated and trees that received surface applications of dry nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. The field experiments, conducted by Oregon State University scientists in a Parkdale pear orchard and at the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hood River, were initiated in 2005 to learn if switching from surface application methods of banding and broadcasting dry fertilizers to using drip irrigation lines to apply the fertilizer, a method known as fertigation, was effective and economical. “There was a […]