Articles
Inter-row weed management in a young high-density olive orchard
Article number
1354_6
Pages
41 – 48
Language
English
Abstract
A sustainable orchard-floor management in high-density orchards is required since the very early stages after planting.
A green cover should be ensured in the inter-row alleyway to prevent soil erosion and allow the transit of machineries, whereas weed management along the row is mandatory to reduce the competition for water and nutrients.
The inter-row green cover is generally managed with 3-4 mowing sessions per year, but alternative solutions can promote a better mulching effect, especially during summer.
An open-field experiment compared the use of a roller crimper (RC) with a standard mowing (MW) evaluating the effects on weed dynamics, total green biomass and coverage, and soil temperature and moisture.
The trial was executed in late spring early summer 2021 in a young high-density olive orchard (1,250 trees ha‑1) planted in 2019 in central Italy (Rome). No significant differences were recorded between RC and MW regarding the cover percentage and species richness at 32 and 69 days after the termination (DAT) of the weeds.
A higher incidence of perennials was recorded in MW and a greater presence of Fabaceae species was assessed in RC compared to MW at 32 DAT. Total biomass trend on dry matter basis ha‑1 did not differ in the tested treatments excepted for the last sampling date (69 DAT) where RC registered significant higher values due to a greater presence of flattened weeds that were not completely degraded.
Soil temperature and moisture at 10 cm depth showed significant higher values for MW at 13 and 32 DAT and at 13 and 69 DAT, respectively.
In conclusion, the use of the roller crimper can represent a feasible alternative to mowing, inducing a selective development of species (e.g., leguminous), a higher accumulation of biomass on the orchard floor and a lower soil temperature in the short term period.
A green cover should be ensured in the inter-row alleyway to prevent soil erosion and allow the transit of machineries, whereas weed management along the row is mandatory to reduce the competition for water and nutrients.
The inter-row green cover is generally managed with 3-4 mowing sessions per year, but alternative solutions can promote a better mulching effect, especially during summer.
An open-field experiment compared the use of a roller crimper (RC) with a standard mowing (MW) evaluating the effects on weed dynamics, total green biomass and coverage, and soil temperature and moisture.
The trial was executed in late spring early summer 2021 in a young high-density olive orchard (1,250 trees ha‑1) planted in 2019 in central Italy (Rome). No significant differences were recorded between RC and MW regarding the cover percentage and species richness at 32 and 69 days after the termination (DAT) of the weeds.
A higher incidence of perennials was recorded in MW and a greater presence of Fabaceae species was assessed in RC compared to MW at 32 DAT. Total biomass trend on dry matter basis ha‑1 did not differ in the tested treatments excepted for the last sampling date (69 DAT) where RC registered significant higher values due to a greater presence of flattened weeds that were not completely degraded.
Soil temperature and moisture at 10 cm depth showed significant higher values for MW at 13 and 32 DAT and at 13 and 69 DAT, respectively.
In conclusion, the use of the roller crimper can represent a feasible alternative to mowing, inducing a selective development of species (e.g., leguminous), a higher accumulation of biomass on the orchard floor and a lower soil temperature in the short term period.
Publication
Authors
E.M. Lodolini, C. Ciaccia
Keywords
orchard-floor management, roller crimper, mowing, weed dynamics, Olea europaea, soil temperature and moisture
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