The Effect of Orchard Soil Management on Soil Temperature and Apple Tree Nutrition

Neilsen, G. H.; Hogue, E. J.; Drought, B. G.

doi:10.4141/cjss86-069

Cited by 29 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Periods when differences were less pronounced were associated with the application of trickle irrigation. These data are consistent with other reports in the literature where mulch has been demonstrated to increase soil moisture (Neilsen et al, 1986(Neilsen et al, , 2003b.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Spray-on-mulch Technology for Intensively Grown Irrigated Apple Orchards: Influence on Tree Establishment, Early Yields, and Soil Physical Properties

Cline

Neilsen

Hogue

et al. 2011

hortte

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Use of and interest in organic mulches for both integrated fruit production (IFP) and organic fruit production is increasing given recent efforts to reduce pesticide inputs and improve soil health. A series of four experiments was conducted in the southern interior of British Columbia over 5 years to investigate the use of a spray-on-mulch (SOM) slurry, comprised primarily of recycled waste newsprint fiber, as an effective method to control excessive weed competition and enhance tree establishment and performance. In four experiments, ‘Gala’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Ambrosia’, and ‘Honeycrisp’ apple (Malus ×domestica) trees on ‘Malling 9’ (‘M.9’) rootstock were exposed to a series of treatments including a glyphosate check, SOM waste paper, SOM over an organic underlay, SOM incorporated with dichlobenil or tackifier, SOM over black landscape fabric, rowcover cloth, or polyethylene plastic. SOM provided superior weed control in comparison with the glyphosate check treatment, a standard orchard practice in many modern orchards in North America. SOM application over compost, paper, and especially over cloth barriers were found to be more effective weed barriers than SOM alone. In comparison with glyphosate checks, SOM improved tree growth during tree establishment. Although the addition of dichlobenil provided season-long weed control, tree growth was diminished in comparison with SOM alone and remained similar to that of the glyphosate checks. There was little or no benefit of including a 2.5% tacking agent to help improve SOM integrity and long-term surface stability. When applied to bearing 4-year-old trees, SOM provided similar tree vigor as glyphosate checks over four growing seasons. The addition of landscape fabric, plastic, or cloth underlay material in combination with SOM improved tree vigor in formative years, but this benefit diminished over time. SOM-treated trees had greater cumulative yields over glyphosate checks after 3 years of production. SOM provided significant temperature moderation during the summer and winter months and provided moisture conservation during the summer. There were few SOM effects on plant nutrient status.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 93%

Spray-on-mulch Technology for Intensively Grown Irrigated Apple Orchards: Influence on Tree Establishment, Early Yields, and Soil Physical Properties

Cline

Neilsen

Hogue

et al. 2011

hortte

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“…Information on mineral relations of the apple plant under supraoptimal root temperature is scant especially on the mechanistic aspects of ion absorption and translocation. Similar to our findings, Neilsen et al (1986) showed an increase in N and a decrease in P and Ca concentrations in Bisbee Red Delicious apple leaves on M.26 rootstock. In our experiment the increase in K was accompanied by a decrease in Ca (Fig.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 80%

“…In the USA, apple planting is expanding into a number of mesic to thermic soils in California, Arizona, Texas, as well as in the southeastern states. Mulching with plastic could also result in high soil temperatures in apple orchards (Neilsen et al, 1986). Therefore there is a need for more information on apple physiology under high root-zone temperatures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water relations, mineral nutrition, growth, and13C discrimination in two apple cultivars under daily episodes of high root-medium temperature

et al. 1994

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Although high soil temperatures can occur in apple orchards throughout the world, there is little information on their effect. This investigation was conducted to determine the influence of various durations of root exposure to 34 °C on the growth and physiology of the apple plant. Roots of Royal Gala and McIntosh cultivhrs were exposed to 34 °C for 0, 8,16, and 24 hours/day for seven weeks. Royal Gala grown at the 24 hours/day treatment exhibited significant decreases in leaf, shoot, and root growth; chlorophyll concentration of the older leaves; transpiration; discrimination against 13C in leaves; and an increase in leaf temperature. In McIntosh, root growth and chlorophyll concentration of leaves were not affected. For both cultivars compared to the control treatment, the continuous high temperature treatment resulted in lower levels of R Mg, and Mn in leaves. Royal Gala at this treatment showed significantly higher values of foliar N and K and lower values of Ca, Fe, and Zn. For McIntosh the levels of Cu and B decreased significantly in this treatment as compared to the control treatment. We conclude that 34 °C in the root-zone does not stress these cultivars unless it persists throughout the day/night cycle.

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“…The geotextile and control treatments showed consistently lower average temperatures, with more fluctuating in the control than the mulch treatments. More variation in average soil temperatures between treatments, and higher average temperatures were observed in the lighter soil site, also reported by Neilsen et al (1986). The buffering characteristics of mulches, particularly the organic mulches, were also more prominent in the lighter soil site.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 56%

Changes in Phosphorus Status of 'Cripps' Pink' Apple Trees After Application of Mulches

Kotze¹,

Merwe²,

Nicholson³

et al. 2015

Acta Hortic.

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The effect of four different mulches on fruit quality was quantified, either directly via mineral nutrient contributions or indirectly, by increasing nutrient uptake efficiency in the soil. We hypothesised that fruit nutrient levels would increase more when an organic mulch, containing nutrients, was applied to the soil, with smaller/no increases when an inorganic mulch was applied to the tree row.In this paper, we concentrate on changes in fruit phosphorus (P) concentrations after application of five treatments: a clean cultivated control, an inorganic woven geotextile fabric, and organic mulches -compost, wood chips and a vermi-castings/ wood chips combination. The trial was conducted on a commercial farm, Lourensford Estate, South Africa, from October 2008 to April 2012 -on an adjacent light, sandy and heavier, sandy-silt soil.Mineral nutrient analyses of the soil, leaves, mulches and fruit were performed. Yield and fruit size were determined. Soil temperatures and soil water status were recorded hourly during the last two seasons. P concentrations did increase chronologically from the soil, then into leaves and then into the fruit after application of mulches that provided additional P to the soil. Sporadic increases in both leaves and fruit occurred, but could not always be related to treatment effects. The significant consistent increase of P levels of the vermi-castings treatment in the heavy soil is likely to be a combination of reduced irrigation volumes, as well as a treatment effect.All mulches resulted in the well-established buffering of soil temperatures, soil water content and percentage soil carbon. Based on results from this study, it is not feasible to apply mulches for the sole purpose to increase P levels in the soil, leaves or fruit of established trees -although increases were noticed from time to time. In addition to water and temperature modifying effects of mulches that would differ between soil textures and depend on the mulch source, increases in P concentrations may result. As yield efficiency is still the primary factor determining income per hectare for the producer, the decrease in yield that resulted from mulching under these conditions, will still outweigh any positive contributions of mulches. It is therefore of utmost importance to first adjust irrigation volumes to a mulch treatment before the advantageous properties of mulching will be of value.

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The Effect of Orchard Soil Management on Soil Temperature and Apple Tree Nutrition

Abstract: soil management on soil temperature and apple tree nutrition. Can For personal use only.

Cited by 29 publications

References 7 publications

Spray-on-mulch Technology for Intensively Grown Irrigated Apple Orchards: Influence on Tree Establishment, Early Yields, and Soil Physical Properties

Spray-on-mulch Technology for Intensively Grown Irrigated Apple Orchards: Influence on Tree Establishment, Early Yields, and Soil Physical Properties

Water relations, mineral nutrition, growth, and13C discrimination in two apple cultivars under daily episodes of high root-medium temperature

Changes in Phosphorus Status of 'Cripps' Pink' Apple Trees After Application of Mulches

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