Articles
Impact of cover crops, compost and mulch on cherry tree development and yield
Article number
1346_52
Pages
413 – 418
Language
English
Abstract
The penetrans root-lesion (Pratylenchus penetrans) and American dagger (Xiphinema americanum) nematodes are limiting factors in cherry orchard replant situations in Michigan.
For more than 50 years, soil fumigants and cover crops have been used to reduce risk of plant-parasitic nematodes and other soil-borne pathogens before replanting orchards.
Since 2011, research at the Michigan State University, Northwest Horticultural Research Center evaluated the impact of cover crops, compost, and nematode management systems on the growth and development of Prunus avium Benton, P. cerasus Montmorency and nematode population dynamics in three trials.
Six cover crop systems were established in 2011 and maintained in 2012 before planting Benton trees in 2013. The systems included: conventional, nematode non-host, two-year bio-fumigation, one-year bio-fumigation, soil compaction reducer, and legume.
Tree trunk cross section area (TCSA) and canopy were measured annually.
TCSA and canopy from 2014 to 2018 and 2019 machine-harvested fruit yield were greatest following the nematode non-host cover crop and lowest for the legume system.
The second trial involved five compost-mulch treatments on Benton. TCSA from 2014 to 2018 and 2019 machine-harvested fruit yield were greatest when at-planting starter compost was placed in the bottom of the planting hole and lower when compost and mulch were applied only on the soil surface and trees with no treatment.
Only the difference in yield was statistically significant.
The third trial consisted of three nematode management systems started two years before planting Montmorency in 2016. In 2018, trunk diameter associated with the soil fumigation was significantly greater than the non-fumigant nematicide treatment.
The use of cover crops in cherry orchard site preparation, placement of compost in the bottom of the cherry tree planting hole, and soil fumigation can impact cherry tree development, fruit yield, and nematode community structure.
For more than 50 years, soil fumigants and cover crops have been used to reduce risk of plant-parasitic nematodes and other soil-borne pathogens before replanting orchards.
Since 2011, research at the Michigan State University, Northwest Horticultural Research Center evaluated the impact of cover crops, compost, and nematode management systems on the growth and development of Prunus avium Benton, P. cerasus Montmorency and nematode population dynamics in three trials.
Six cover crop systems were established in 2011 and maintained in 2012 before planting Benton trees in 2013. The systems included: conventional, nematode non-host, two-year bio-fumigation, one-year bio-fumigation, soil compaction reducer, and legume.
Tree trunk cross section area (TCSA) and canopy were measured annually.
TCSA and canopy from 2014 to 2018 and 2019 machine-harvested fruit yield were greatest following the nematode non-host cover crop and lowest for the legume system.
The second trial involved five compost-mulch treatments on Benton. TCSA from 2014 to 2018 and 2019 machine-harvested fruit yield were greatest when at-planting starter compost was placed in the bottom of the planting hole and lower when compost and mulch were applied only on the soil surface and trees with no treatment.
Only the difference in yield was statistically significant.
The third trial consisted of three nematode management systems started two years before planting Montmorency in 2016. In 2018, trunk diameter associated with the soil fumigation was significantly greater than the non-fumigant nematicide treatment.
The use of cover crops in cherry orchard site preparation, placement of compost in the bottom of the cherry tree planting hole, and soil fumigation can impact cherry tree development, fruit yield, and nematode community structure.
Publication
Authors
G. Bird, N. Rothwell
Keywords
Prunus spp., orchard establishment, cover crops, compost, mulch, trunk cross section area (TCSA)
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