The trial was part of an experimental apple orchard at the Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Laimburg (Laces: lat. 46_620N, long. 10_860E, alt. 640 masl), in the province of Bolzano. In 2009, four replicate plots for each of the seven fertilisation treatments
were planted with cv. Golden Delicious apples (Malus _ domestica Borkh.) on M9 rootstock, complying with a balanced randomised complete block design.