Influence of Living Mulch and Nitrogen Dose on Yield and Fruit Quality Parameters of Malus domestica Borkh. cv. ‘Sampion’

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the yield, and to identify and quantify primary and secondary metabolites in fruit of Malus domestica Borkh. cv. ‘Sampion’ under two agrotechnical factors: the floor management (herbicide fallow and living mulch) and the dose of nitrogen (50, 80, 110, and 140 kg ha−1). Compared to herbicide fallow, living mulch did not decrease yield. Research showed a rich composition of phenolic and volatile organic compounds in apples, which varied with the evaluated factors, as well as with the weather conditions during the vegetation season. The precipitation deficit and high summer temperatures did not contribute to proper fruit growth and development and led to a higher content of phenolic compounds in the fruit flesh from trees in herbicide fallow compared to living mulch. Living mulch, which could be a factor regulating the availability of nitrogen to trees, stimulated the synthesis of anthocyanins, which was also potentiated by low average temperatures at harvest time, resulting in a large area of fruit skin red blush.

Usefulness of Living Mulch in Rows in a Dwarf Pear, Pyrus communis L., Orchard

“…Therefore, the presence of white clover mulch sown in rows in the second year after planting may have a limiting effect on the growth of fruit trees, even in older orchards. Different conclusions have been presented by Baluszynska et al [6]. In their opinion, the presence of grass mulch significantly weakened the growth of young apple trees, while in an older orchard, this trend was no longer significant.…”

“…Similar varied tree responses to the presence of LMs were recorded in apple orchards. A decrease in yield has been repeatedly confirmed, especially in grassy mulches [2,6,11,14,16]. However, ref.…”

“…The observed differences in the impact of the presence of LMs on yield, depending on the age of the orchard, are consistent with the observations of other authors. Baluszynska et al [6] found that the decline in the yield of apple tree cv 'Sampion' growing in grass mulch was significant only in young orchards. In their opinion, when the trees reach full fruiting, the influence of orchard floor management on fruiting is much smaller.…”

“…Orchard floor management is a pre-harvest factor that can influence on growth and fruit quality, including biologically active compounds, e.g., phenolic groups [2,3]. Among the alternatives to herbicide use are ecological methods of weed control, including living mulch (LM), which have been studied quite intensively in recent decades [4][5][6]. The concept of LMs in orchards is the introduction of additional herbaceous perennial species into the tree rows, which accompany them throughout the growing season and protect the soil surface against nutrient leaching and spontaneous colonisation by weeds [2].…”

Determination of Volatile Compounds in Blossoms of Rosa spinosissima, Rosa pendulina, Rosa gallica, and Their Cultivars

“…The profile of VOCs was determined by gas chromatography analysis (HS-GC-MS) following that of [24]. Five flowers were selected for each species/cultivar.…”