Effect of Slurry Composting Biofiltration (SCB) Liquid Manure on Shoot Growth and Fruit Qualities of Peach (Prunus persica L.) and Soil Chemical Properties in Orchard

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of slurry composting and biofiltration (SCB) liquid manure application on shoot growth, fruit qualities and soil chemical properties in peach orchard. SCB liquid manure was fertigated ten times from April to October in SCB plot, whereas chemical fertilizer was treated two times as basal and additional fertilizers in control plot. The shoot growth, leaf nitrogen and potassium content, soil exchangeable K, fruit weight and yield were higher in SCB plot than in control. Soluble solid content and acidity, soil organic matter, soil available phosphate and soil exchangeable Mg showed no significant difference between treatments, and the leaf calcium and magnesium content were lower in SCB plot than in control. In conclusion, fertigating SCB liquid manure in peach orchard has positive effects on fruit weight and yield, and it is suggested that periodical soil testing is needed because of the possibility of K accumulation in SCB liquid manure treated soil when the orchard is fertigated based on the soil nitrogen content.

Effect of Cover Crop Species and Liquid Manure Application Rate on Green Manure Production, Leaf Mineral Content, Fruit Quality and Soil Chemical Properties in Pear Orchard

“…In rye, liquid manure application was more effective in increasing cover crop biomass and returnable nutrient content than cutting frequency. In contrast, the cover crop biomass and returnable nutrient content were more affected by cutting frequency rather than liquid manure application in hairy vetch (Lee et al, 2013).…”

“…That is because SCB liquid manure features a relatively high percentage of K2O, although it contains low rate of N (Park et al, 2013). Other mineral contents of pear leaves were not different significantly, but leaf N content tended to be higher in hairy vetch treatments and chemical fertilizer than in rye treatments.…”

“…Fertigating SCB liquid manure in peach orchard has positive effects on fruit weight and yield as chemical fertilizer (Park et al, 2013). However, further long-term study on the effect of the liquid manure application rate on fruit quality and yield based on the soil organic matter content will be needed.…”

“…- Effect of cover crop species and liquid manure application rate on soil chemical properties Hv + LMN showed the highest inorganic nitrogen content of all the treatments, and soil exchangeable K content increased as liquid manure application rate increases (Table 5). If liquid manure application is based on the N requirement, there is potential to increase soil exchangeable K content (Park et al, 2013).…”