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Nutrient Management in Low-Chill Peach Orchards: Guidelines for Deficiency Symptoms and Leaf and Soil Sampling

, Ali Sarkhosh, Lincoln Zotarelli, Cheryl Mackowiak, andRao Mylavarapu


Release Date: 9/16/2025

DOI: 10.32473/edis-hs1497-2025

Agriculture

Abstract

Timely and informed fertilization practices in peach production are essential to obtain high yields, optimal fruit quality, and secure long-term orchard health and productivity. Recognizing nutrient deficiency symptoms can help identify which nutrients a plant may be lacking, but a solid nutrient management program should regularly test soil and foliar samples to detect issues before symptoms appear. This publication provides suggested nutrient sufficiency ranges for peach trees, along with practical guidelines for identifying nutrient deficiency symptoms and conducting soil and foliar sampling in the orchard. Its goal is to support county Extension agents and faculty, growers, and homeowners with general and practical guidelines for optimizing nutrient management in peach orchards.

About this Publication

This document is HS1497, one of a series of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 2025. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. © 2025 UF/IFAS. This publication is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

How to Cite

Clavijo-Herrera, J., Sarkhosh, A., Zotarelli, L., Mackowiak, C., & Mylavarapu, R. (2025). Nutrient Management in Low-Chill Peach Orchards: Guidelines for Deficiency Symptoms and Leaf and Soil Sampling. EDIS, 2025(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1497-2025

Authors

Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera
Jonathan Clavijo-Herrera

postdoctoral associate, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Ali Sarkhosh
Ali Sarkhosh
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor and Extension specialist, fruit crops, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Lincoln Zotarelli
Lincoln Zotarelli
Specialist
University of Florida

professor and Extension specialist, UF/IFAS Department of Horticultural Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Cheryl Mackowiak
Cheryl Mackowiak
Specialist
University of Florida

associate professor and Extension specialist, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center

Rao Mylavarapu
Rao Mylavarapu
Specialist
University of Florida

professor and Extension specialist, Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Gainesville, FL

Publication #HS1497

Peer Reviewed
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