Articles
Changes in weed population in organic apple orchard as a result of soil management with living mulches
Article number
1354_4
Pages
25 – 32
Language
English
Abstract
A trial was carried out in the years of 2019-2020 at the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice to assess the suitability of various multifunctional living mulch species grown on the tree rows (understory) of eight-year-old organic apple orchard (Gala and Golden Delicious) to control the weed infestation.
Living mulch species included three perennials (Alchemilla vulgaris, Fragaria vesca and Mentha piperita) and two annuals crops (Tropaeolum majus and Cucurbita maxima). Perennial species were planted at the beginning of experiment and annual species in the spring of each year.
The number of weeds was determined at spring time, summer and in autumn.
A high weeds infestation, mostly by annual species, was observed.
The number of total weeds and annual species at spring time was highly reduced by mulch with T. majus and C. maxima, while in summer and autumn weeds were reduce by M. piperita. The lowest number of perennial weeds in all living mulch species and in natural cover was recorded at spring time and the highest in summer.
The number of dicotyledonous weeds was highly limited by T. majus and C. maxima mulch at both spring and autumn and by M. piperita in autumn.
It is concluded that a correct selection of multifunctional living mulch species can be a tool for weeds management in organic apple orchards.
Living mulch species included three perennials (Alchemilla vulgaris, Fragaria vesca and Mentha piperita) and two annuals crops (Tropaeolum majus and Cucurbita maxima). Perennial species were planted at the beginning of experiment and annual species in the spring of each year.
The number of weeds was determined at spring time, summer and in autumn.
A high weeds infestation, mostly by annual species, was observed.
The number of total weeds and annual species at spring time was highly reduced by mulch with T. majus and C. maxima, while in summer and autumn weeds were reduce by M. piperita. The lowest number of perennial weeds in all living mulch species and in natural cover was recorded at spring time and the highest in summer.
The number of dicotyledonous weeds was highly limited by T. majus and C. maxima mulch at both spring and autumn and by M. piperita in autumn.
It is concluded that a correct selection of multifunctional living mulch species can be a tool for weeds management in organic apple orchards.
Publication
Authors
J. Golian, Z. Anyszka, J. Kwiatkowska, E.M. Furmanczyk
Keywords
apple orchard, tree row, mulch, weeds number
Online Articles (50)