Decreasing alfalfa greening occurrence in apples

Alfalfa greening is a disorder which causes dark-green, slightly sunken spots on the skin of pears. A balanced crop nutrition is essential to minimize alfalfa greening occurrence.

Crop Nutrition and Alfalfa Greening

Alfalfa greening is associated with over-use of nitrogen and poor calcium supply to the fruit.

Pears need twice the calcium amount in the fruit of the amount needed by any other pome fruit. Correct calcium nutrition has been shown to minimize the incidence of alfalfa greening, among other disorders.