Mulch type and application of manure and composts in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production: impact on soil fertility and yield

Abstract

The objective of this research was to quantify the effect of the application of organic fertilizers: farmyard manure, vermicompost, spent mushroom compost, under two different ground cover management systems (black polyethylene and wheat straw mulch) on soil nutrient levels and strawberry yield during a two-year production cycle. The application of organic fertilizers, in the amounts equivalent to 170 kg ha -1 N, had the greatest impact on the concentration of available phosphorus, which was significantly higher on fertilized plots than on the control even two years after the application. The plots fertilized with farmyard manure and mushroom compost had higher concentrations of available potassium than the control, while the application of vermicompost did not affect the concentration of available potassium in the soil. The application of composts did not affect the concentration of available microelements in the soil, while the concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu in the year of the organic fertilizers application were significantly higher on farmyard manure fertilized plots than on the control. The application of all three organic fertilizers had a significant effect on the mineral N concentration in the soil only in the year of the application and the following spring. However, the plots covered with polyethylene mulch had a higher mineral N concentration than the control at all sampling times. The concentration of available microelements was significantly higher in soil covered with black polyethylene mulch than in soil covered with straw mulch. Preplant application of organic fertilizers led to increase of yield, ranging from 14.3% in vermicompost treatmet to 17.3% in the farmyard manure treatment in relation to the control, only in the 1 st fruiting year. However, the application of polyethylene mulch facilitated a higher strawberry yield than straw mulch in both fruiting years.

Organic and non-organic mulches – impact on environmental conditions, yield, and quality of Cucurbitaceae

“…This is evidenced by the results obtained by Siwek et al (2015), where the lowest nitrogen level (especially in the nitrate form) was recorded on the unprotected control site. In turn, Cabilovski et al (2014), in strawberry mulching with organic fertilization, reported higher concentrations of micronutrients under the surface of synthetic mulches compared to straw. Under the influence of the protective mulch of fodder radish, an increase in the number of soil macropores with a diameter of 50-500 μm was observed in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm) (Głąb and Kulig, 2008).…”

“…Other materials include paper mulches, which are made of wrapping paper, waxed or treated otherwise, providing a cheaper alternative to straw (Haapala et al, 2014). Compost with animal excrement seems to be the best material in terms of the quantity of organic matter it contains (Cabilovski et al, 2014). Organic materials (such as straw, sawdust, bark, or peat) exhibit low bulk density of about 0.06-0.30 g cm -3 .…”

Effect of Organic Mulches on Development of Three Ornamental Annual Plants, Moisture and Chemical Properties of Soil

“…Mulching also improves plants growing media properties, which can positively influence plant growth and flowering during the growing season. Cabilovski et al [2014] reported that different composts mixed with the topsoil are used to improve soil fertility. On the other hand, mulch as a source of nutrients for urban plants is less preferred.…”

Effects of several cultivars`: Mulch and fertilizer applications on plant growth and development criteria and plant`s nutrition elements uptake in organic strawberry plantation in Nevşehir city

“…Textile, straw, sawdust and paper mulch types are also prefered due to their air and water permeability properties (Pop et al, 2013;Dobbs, 2003;Berglund et al, 2006;Skroch et al, 1992). It is reported that, some organic and inorganic materials could also be used as mulch material in strawberry cultivation (Birkeland et al, 2002;Cabilovski et al, 2014;Demirsoy et al, 2012;Kumar & Deyb, 2011;Bilck et al, 2010;Kuru, 2009).…”

“…Fertilizing is the most important factor for yield, quality and plant development in plant production. Organic fertilization is as important as inorganic fertilization for plant growth processes (Cabilovski et al, 2014). Organic fertilizers' harmful effects are not excessively when it applied high dosage cause of their narrow nutrition elements range.…”