Usefulness of Living Mulch in Rows in a Dwarf 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, pl. Grunwaldzki 24a, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Ewa Fudali: Department of Botany and Plant Ecology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, pl. Grunwaldzki 24a, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: The key problem in the cultivation of densely planted dwarf orchards is the removal of weeds—trees’ competitors for habitat resources. There is an urgent need to look for ecological methods of weed control as an alternative to herbicides that are harmful to the environment. The use of living mulch (LM) in tree rows additionally improves soil quality but usually weakens tree growth and may reduce yield. The aim of this 11-year experiment was to assess the impact of the use of two different LMs in rows ( Trifolium repens — Tr and Agrostis capillaris — Ac ) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of three pear cultivars on Quince S 1 rootstock compared to herbicide fallow. The presence of LM did not significantly affect tree growth. There was no significant effect of either mulch on the cumulative yield. However, for the first 4–6 years, the yield was clearly lower than in the control, which changed in the later years of the experiment. When LMs were used, pear trees showed a significantly lower tendency to alternate fruiting. The average fruit weight was significantly lower in Tr , but the other parameters of external fruit quality did not differ significantly. Furthermore, a smaller share of ultra-small fruit was found with LM compared to the control. The LM did not significantly affect such parameters as the content of soluble solids, vitamin C, Ca, Mg, and P. The use of Ac in dwarf pear orchards with sowing in tree rows is recommended in the 2nd or 3rd year after planting at the earliest.

Keywords: orchard floor management; cover crop; Quince rootstock; growth; yield; fruit quality; nutrient concentration; ‘Winter Forelle’; ‘Harrow Sweet’; ‘Dolores’ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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