Plants grown in the field under the orchard in the last two years should fulfill several basic tasks, namely to reduce weed infestation in the field, improve the soil structure and reduce the degree of soil contamination by parasitic fungi, posing a potential threat to tree roots. One of the best combinations of plants grown two years earlier is rye with undersown grass; these plants are plowed in in the middle of the summer preceding the planting of trees. Contrary to traditional views, legume plants are not a proper forecrop for orchards, because their roots and remains favor the development of some parasitic fungi, harmful to fruit plants.
In the year preceding the planting of trees, it is advisable to fertilize the soil with manure, in an amount 40-60 t / ha. It is also advisable to introduce a high dose of potassium fertilizers into the soil, of approx 300 kg of pure ingredient per 1 ha and approx 100 kg (also in pure ingredient) phosphorus fertilizers. All these fertilizers are applied prior to deep plowing 40-50 cm. Abundant fertilization before plowing the field is to introduce matter, organic and minerals to the deeper layers of the soil, which has a very positive effect on the growth of young trees. This step should not be overlooked, because after planting trees, the introduction of fertilizers into the deeper layers of the soil is very difficult.
