Four Principles of Grapevine Fertilization

1. Combining organic and inorganic approaches
Fertilization of grapevines should be based on the increased application of organic fertilizers, with a corresponding reduction in chemical fertilizer use. Applying more organic matter enhances soil organic matter content, improves the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties, boosts its water- and nutrient-retention capacities, and stimulates microbial activity, thereby promoting greater efficiency in the utilization of chemical fertilizers.
In addition to the application rate, attention should also be paid to the form and type of organic fertilizer used. For example, combining practices such as returning straw to the field and growing green manure with the application of farmyard manure and commercial organic fertilizers can more effectively enhance soil fertility, thereby achieving high yields, superior quality, and sustainable development.
For orchards with severe soil problems, in addition to increasing the application of organic fertilizers, it is also advisable to use Haijingling bio‑stimulant (root‑applied formulation) to improve the soil’s physical and chemical properties.
2. Primarily apply base fertilizer, with careful topdressing.
Generally, base fertilizer should account for 50–70% of the total fertilizer application. The specific fertilization regime should also take into account factors such as soil fertility, tree age, vigor, and yield, and adopt a combined approach of root application and foliar spraying.
In general, follow these principles: apply more fertilizer to larger trees and less to smaller ones; apply more to weaker trees and less to stronger ones; and apply more to fruit‑bearing trees and less to those bearing fewer fruits.
3. Combination of macro-, meso-, and micronutrients
Apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers generously; apply micronutrient and secondary‑element fertilizers in appropriate amounts; avoid chlorine‑containing compound fertilizers and nitrate‑nitrogen fertilizers; and increase the application of farmyard manure, which has relatively low fertilizer efficiency. Properly combining different types of chemical fertilizers can fully exploit their synergistic effects and significantly enhance the economic efficiency of fertilizer use.
Based on soil analysis and the grapevines’ growth patterns over recent years, apply deficiency‑correcting micronutrient and mesoelement fertilizers in a timely and appropriate manner to prevent physiological disorders. Because these nutrients are applied in very small quantities, broadcast application to the soil can easily lead to overapplication; therefore, they should be diluted to an optimal concentration and applied via foliar spray. This method is not only simple, convenient, and time‑saving but also ensures rapid nutrient uptake and quick results.
4. Standardize fertilization practices
Autumn basal fertilization should be applied from after harvest through early winter, with the optimal timing being within one month following harvest. At this stage, the trees have not yet entered dormancy, root activity remains vigorous, and leaves are still intact. Applying organic fertilizer ensures that the tree can absorb sufficient nutrients, replenish its reserves, promote flower‑bud differentiation, and foster robust growth and higher yields in the coming year.
During the grapevine growing season, topdressing is typically applied five times per year, including bud‑break fertilizer, fruit‑expansion fertilizer, pre‑flowering fertilizer, color‑change fertilizer, and post‑harvest fertilizer. When fertilizing, adhere to standardized practices: apply fertilizer in alternating, unilateral, strip‑shaped trenches dug at a distance from the tree trunk, with appropriate depth and width; after application, irrigate promptly.
Gradually expand the fertilization area year by year, extending beyond the planting furrows; annually perform deep tillage to enlarge the root zone and improve soil fertility. When fertilizer application rates remain constant, maximize the fertilized area to prevent localized high concentrations that can lead to root and seedling burn.