Mulches and Biosolids Affect Vigor, Yield and Leaf Nutrition of Fertigated High Density Apple

Abstract

Additional index words. Malus ×domestica, drip-fertigation, ground cover, soil man age ment Abstract. 'Spartanʼ apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) trees on M.9 (T337) root stock were planted in April 1994 at 1.25 m × 3.5 m spac ing. Seven soil management treat ments were applied within a 2-m-wide strip cen tered on the tree row and arranged in a randomized complete-block experimental de sign. Treat ments included a weed-free strip (check) maintained with four annual ap pli ca tions of glyphosate; surface ap pli ca tion of 45 t·ha -1 of Greater Vancouver Re gion al District (GVRD) biosolids applied in 1994 and again in 1997; mulches of shred ded offi ce paper; alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay; black wo ven polypro py lene; and shredded paper applied over 45 t·ha -1 GVRD-and Kelowna-biosolids applied in 1994 and 1997. All ex per i men tal trees were fertigated with phos pho rus (P) in the fi rst year and with ni tro gen (N) annually. Cu mu la tive yield for the fi rst fi ve harvests was higher for trees sub ject ed to any soil man age ment treatment relative to check trees. Max i mum cu mu la tive yield, exceeding check trees by 80%, was measured for trees grown with a shred ded paper mulch with or without biosolids application. Trees from the three shredded paper treatments were the only ones sig nifi cant ly larger than check trees after six grow ing seasons. No in creas es in leaf nutrient concentration were con sis tent ly as so ci at ed with improved tree per for mance. Notable effects included in creased leaf P con cen tra tion associated with biosolids application, increased leaf K con cen tra tion after alfalfa mulch application and temporary in creas es in leaf Zn and Cu concentration associated with application of biosolids high in Zn and Cu. Use of both mulches and biosolids amendments ben e fi ts growth of trees in high density plantings de spite daily drip irrigation and annual fertigation. Nonsignifi cant or signifi cant at P ≤ 0.05, 0.01, 0.001, or 0.0001, re spec tive ly.

Groundcover as a Useful Tool for Efficient Resource Management and Sustainable Production

“…The pine bark mulch and cow manure treatments increased N content of leaves, with cow manure resulting in the greatest value. Our results are similar to those obtained by Yin et al (2007) but different from those published by Neilsen et al (2003), who reported no significant differences in leaf N of apple trees when mulches were used.…”

“…Moreover, the treatments decreased leaf Mg (Table 3) as Yin et al (2007) and Neilsen et al (2003) reported.…”

“…Several researchers have pointed out that mulching has a positive effect on the water and temperature regimes of soil and involves nutritional and biological factors as well (Skroch and Shribbs 1986;Faust 1989;Nielsen et al 2003;Nielsen et al 2004;Mäge 1982;Parker and Hull 1993;Yin et al 2007).…”

Orchard floor management practices that maintain vegetative or biomass groundcover stimulate soil microbial activity and alter soil microbial community composition

“…Extensive research has been conducted and reported on different GMS, including the use of mulches (biomass, plastic and geotextiles), cover crops and tillage (Hogue and Neilsen, 1987;Merwin, 2003). The various types of GMS can influence soil physical, chemical and biological properties differently (Garland and Mills, 1991;Walsh et al, 1996a;Werner, 1997;Neilsen et al, 2003). Fruit-tree growth, fruit quality, and yields are also affected by GMS practices Neilsen et al, 2003), but GMS effects on soil microbial communities around tree roots, and their implications for orchard productivity and sustainability are not well understood or characterized.…”

Use of Landscape Fabric to Manage Diaprepes Root Weevil in Citrus Groves

“…Alternatively, tree growth rates might have responded positively to elevated soil temperature and/or moisture in mulched plots, particularly in the cooler and drier winter-spring months, and the healthier trees might have been better able to tolerate root herbivory by weevil larvae. Fabric mulches have been reported to increase growth and/or yield of orchard crops such as nectarine (Szewczuk & Gudarowska 2006), cherry (Yin et al 2007), apple (Merwin et al 1995;Nielsen et al 2003) and acid lime and mandarin (Shirgure, et al 2003(Shirgure, et al , 2005.…”