Comparing Mulches, Herbicides, and Cultivation as Orchard Groundcover Management Systems

Abstract

<jats:p>Natural (hay, wood chips, recycled paper pulp) and synthetic (polypropylene film and polyester fabric) mulches were compared with mechanical tillage and residual herbicides as orchard groundcover management systems (GMSS). In two New York orchards-the Clarke farm and Hudson Valley Lab (HVL—GMSS were applied from 1990 to 1993 in 1.8-m-wide strips under newly planted apple (<jats:italic>Malus domestica</jats:italic>; `Liberty', `Empire', `Freedom', and advanced numbered selections from the disease-resistant apple breeding program at Geneva, N.Y.) trees. GMS impacts on soil fertility, tree nutrition and growth, yields, crop value, and vole (<jats:italic>Microtus</jats:italic> spp.) populations were evaluated. After 3 years at the Clarke orchard, extractable NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>, Mn, Fe, B, and Zn concentrations were greater in soil with herbicides than synthetic mulches; soil K and P concentrations were greater with herbicides and wood chips than synthetic mulches. At the HVL orchard, topsoil NO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>, K, and Mg concentrations were greater with hay mulch than herbicides or other mulches; Mg, Fe, and B concentrations were lower in soil with wood chips than other GMSs. Soil organic matter content was not affected by GMS. Apple leaf N, K, Cu, and Zn concentrations were greater with herbicides, hay mulch, and polypropylene mulch than cultivation or recycled paper mulch at the HVL orchard during hot, dry Summer 1991. Despite transient differences among GMSS during the initial years, after 4 years of treatments there were no consistent GMS trends in cumulative tree growth or gross yields. The higher establishment and maintenance costs of several mulches were offset by their prolonged efficacy over successive years; crop market values from 1992 to 1994 were considerably greater for trees with polypropylene film, polyester fabric, and hay mulches than herbicides, cultivation, or other mulches. Voles caused more serious damage to trees in synthetic and hay mulches, despite the use of mesh trunk guards and rodenticide bait.</jats:p>

Groundcover Management System and Nutrient Source Impacts on Soil Quality Indicators in an Organically Managed Apple (Malus ×domestica Borkh.) Orchard in the Ozark Highlands

“…Peck et al (2011) documented greater SOM accumulation in an integrated apple orchard receiving bark mulch applications and occasional herbicide applications than in an organically managed apple orchard treated with tillage and composted poultry litter. Conversely, Merwin et al (1995) observed no differences in SOM concentrations between plant-based mulches and tree rows receiving plastic mulches and managed with herbicides.…”

“…Soil organic matter has often used as a soil quality indicator (Fliebach et al, 2006;Granatstein and Mullinix, 2008;Gregorich et al, 1994;Karlen et al, 1992;Loveland and Webb, 2003;Merwin et al, 1994Merwin et al, , 1995, and changes in SOM have been linked to changes in other soil properties and processes. The near-surface SOM, total C, and total nitrogen (N) concentrations and contents, C:N ratios, and BD did not differ (P > 0.05) among GMS-nutrient source treatment combinations at the initiation of the study (Mays, 2013) indicating that soil conditions were as uniform throughout the study area as could reasonably be expected at the time of organic orchard establishment.…”

“…production include woodchips, municipal green compost, shredded paper, and mow-blow green mulch (Rom et al, 2010). Other researchers have used hay-straw and living groundcovers, including white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), all of which contribute to SOM reserves (Granatstein and Mullinix, 2008;Merwin et al, 1994Merwin et al, , 1995Merwin et al, , 1999Sanchez et al, 2003) and favor formation of water-stable soil aggregates.…”

Impact of Animal Manure on Soil Chemistry, Mineral Nutrients, Yield, and Fruit Quality in ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple

“…Nutrient management in an organic system is based on a recycling Impact of Manure on Apple Quality 611 of plant and animal residues within the agricultural system. Increased use of organic materials as soil amendments or surface mulches have been advocated as compatible with IFP (Merwin et al, 1995). There have been a number of trials studying alternative management systems (organic systems) for the soil directly around the tree to minimize the negative aspects of chemical fertilizers (Neilsen et al, 1998), and these basically fall into the use of organic matters.…”

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.…”