Fruit trees are a large group of important economic crops and are cultivated in a wide range. The fruit yield and quality depend on several agronomic factors, such as soil (e.g., pH, organic matter content, nutrient availability, etc.), fertilizer management, and several other biotic and abiotic factors. Among them, mineral nutrients in the soil can significantly affect the yield and quality of fruit by regulating many physiological processes, such as carbon and nitrogen metabolism. Appropriate nutrient levels and balanced fertilization are among the key measures to achieving ideal fruit growth and production while reducing production costs. In this context, there remain future challenges to developing novel fertilization practices and optimizing orchard nutrient management in order to improve fruit yield and quality formation, improve nutrient use efficiency, maintain soil fertility, and prevent fertilizer deficiencies, imbalances, or overuse, resulting in sustainable economic and environmental benefits.

This Research Topic aims to 1) provide basic rationale and reference for further in-depth analysis of the physiological or molecular regulatory mechanism of nutrients on growth, fruit quality, nutrient use efficiency, and stress resistance in fruit trees; 2) elucidate the responses of advanced fertilizer management strategies to nutrient utilization efficiency, nutrient cycling, soil quality, yield and quality formation process, and environmental costs. We welcome research on different fruit tree species, including but not limited to apples, citrus, grapes, peaches, pears, bananas, etc.

In this Research Topic, we welcome all article types published by Frontiers in Plant Science that dissect the use of mineral nutrients as a sustainable tool in fruit production, especially those that focus on:
• Mineral nutrients requirement and physiological functions in fruit trees;
• Nutrient efficient utilization strategy for fruit trees;
• Effects of mineral nutrients/fertilization on physiological processes, such as carbon and nitrogen metabolism in fruit trees;
• The use of mineral nutrients to counteract the negative effects of abiotic stresses on fruit trees.
• Nutrient cycling and green production in fruit orchards;
• Advanced fertilizer management strategies in fruit production.

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