Growing Almond crop nutrition advice

Almond crop nutrition management is the practice of balancing soil conditions, water supply, and essential nutrients to support tree growth, flowering, and kernel development. By aligning fertilization with phenological stages and leaf analysis targets, growers can improve yield stability, kernel quality, and long-term orchard productivity

Introduction

Almond (Prunus dulcis) is a perennial deciduous tree crop of major global economic importance, cultivated primarily in Mediterranean, semi-arid, and temperate climates. Originating in Central and Western Asia, almond was domesticated through early selection for sweet kernels and later disseminated throughout the Mediterranean Basin. Modern commercial almond production is dominated by irrigated orchard systems where precise water and nutrient management largely determine yield stability, kernel quality, and the severity of alternate bearing.

Global almond production reached approximately 4.1 million metric tons (in-shell basis) in 2023, harvested from roughly 2.2 million hectares (FAOSTAT). The United States accounts for more than 55% of global output, followed by Spain and Australia. Over the last decade, production growth has been driven primarily by yield intensification through fertigation, cultivar improvement, and improved orchard design rather than expansion of cultivated area.

Almond Growing Stages

Plant Growth Environment

Almond requires deep, well-drained soils to support its extensive root system. Sandy loam to loam textures with effective soil depth exceeding 1.5 m are optimal. Almond is highly sensitive to waterlogging, which rapidly impairs root function and nutrient uptake.

Understanding Almond Physiology is Essentials for Nutrition Management

Almond productivity is governed by source–sink relationships. Leaves act as carbon sources, while kernels, shoots, and storage tissues act as sinks. Excess nitrogen promotes vegetative sinks at the expense of kernel development and reserve accumulation.

Alternate bearing arises when high crop loads deplete carbohydrate, nitrogen, potassium, and boron reserves. Adequate post-harvest nutrition is essential to restore reserves and stabilize yield across years.

Nutrient Roles, Deficiency and Excess Symptoms

Water–Nutrition Coupling in Almond Orchards

Many almond nutrient disorders are hydraulically or chemically induced. Salinity, bicarbonate, and high vapor pressure deficit reduce nutrient uptake and transport even when soil supply is adequate.

Under saline conditions, excessive potassium fertilization exacerbates calcium and magnesium deficiency, increasing hull rot risk. Bicarbonate-rich irrigation water precipitates calcium and magnesium unless acidification is applied.

Practical Nutrient Recommendations

The nutrition recommendations presented below are designed to bridge the gap between physiological principles and field implementation. Annual nutrient rates are expressed relative to realistic kernel yield targets, reflecting both nutrient removal in the harvested crop and the additional requirements for vegetative growth and reserve replenishment. The phenological allocation table should be read in conjunction with the annual rates, as it illustrates when nutrients are most effectively supplied rather than prescribing additional quantities.

Micronutrient Nutrition

Boron is essential for fruit set but has a narrow safety margin (30–80 ppm sufficiency; toxicity above ~100 ppm). Zinc deficiency is common in calcareous soils and exacerbated by high phosphorus. Iron chlorosis is typically induced by bicarbonate rather than low soil iron content.

Estimated Nutrient Removal per Metric Ton of Kernel Yield (Kg/t)

Leaf Tissue Nutrient Targets (Mid-Summer)

References

UC Davis Cooperative Extension. Almond Production Manual.
Almond Board of California. Almond Orchard Nutrition Manual.
Almond Board of Australia. Best Management Practices for Almond Nutrition.
FAO. (2023). FAOSTAT Statistical Database.
Volcani Institute. Fertigation and Nutrition of Almond Orchards. Various