Mulching with oilseed rape improving soil moisture and fertility and apple yield in orchard in semi‐arid region

Abstract

This study was aimed to alleviate water deficiency and improve soil fertility in orchard in semi‐arid region. The Brassica napus L. winter varieties (including the variety V6, V7) generally had higher aboveground biological yield, lower root yield and main root length compared to the Brassica campestris L. winter / spring varieties. By mulching root area of apple tree with aboveground part of these rape varieties at later autumn, the water contents in 0‐20, 20‐40, 40‐60 cm soil were enhanced /changed at following March and positively correlated with the mulching‐plant biomass. Similarly, under treatments of the V6‐I, V7‐I (the variety V6, V7 mulching), and the V6‐II, V7‐II (mulching with aboveground part of the V6, V7 + 5% soil), the average water content in 0‐150 cm soil was significantly increased by about 12%, 9%, 18%, and 14% at following spring, respectively; meanwhile the treatment V6‐II, V7‐II induced significant increase of water contents in 0‐25, 25‐50, 50‐75, 75‐100, 100‐125, and 125‐150 cm soil profile; these treatments were conducted over two years, respectively the available K, total N, and organic matter in 0‐20 cm soil was significantly increased by 39.3%‐151.8%, 10.0%‐17.9%, and 22.7%‐34.2%, the apple tree growth was promoted, the fruit yield per plant was significantly enhanced by 16.9%‐95.5%. In conclusion, the Brassica napus L. winter variety mulching, especially the mulching with aboveground part of the Brassica napus L. winter variety + 5% soil, showed significant effect in improving soil moisture, soil fertility, and fruit yield in orchard in semi‐arid region.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved