Living mulches in-rows as an alternative for herbicide fallow in a pear Pyrus communis L. orchard

Ireneusz Sosna and Ewa Fudali
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Ireneusz Sosna: Department of Horticulture, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
Ewa Fudali: Department of Botany and Plant Ecology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland

Horticultural Science, 2024, vol. 51, issue 2, 160-167

Abstract: Weed control and replenishing soil moisture and fertility are important areas in fruit production. The number of studies focused to determine whether living mulches in tree rows can fulfil these tasks increases recently. In the paper the results of an 11-year experiment on the effect of two such mulches (Trifolium repens L. and Agrostis capillaris L.) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of three pear cultivars ('Alfa', 'Dolores', 'Amfora') in relation to herbicide fallow are presented. In the experiment, a single sowing of covering plants without additional treatments was used. A statistically significant reduction in yield (20-22%) was found for both mulches used, which was related to weakening the vegetative growth of trees. The average fruit mass did not change significantly, but the percent share of large fruits increased significantly (about 17%) in the A. capillaris mulch. Fruits from trees growing in T. repens contained significantly more soluble solids and Ca. However, that mulch became heavily infested with weeds after a few years. The obtained results allow us to recommend the use of the living mulch A. capillaris in the tree rows of a commercial pear orchard. The 'Dolores' and 'Amfora' cvs are particularly recommended.

Keywords: orchard floor management; growth; yield; fruit quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlhor:v:51:y:2024:i:2:id:14-2023-hortsci

DOI: 10.17221/14/2023-HORTSCI

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