[PDF] Orchard Floor Management Systems And Rootstock Performance Of Organically Managed Apples Malus X Domestica Borkh eBook

Author : Sarah Finger McDonald
Publisher :
Page : 238 pages
File Size : 16,55 MB
Release : 2007
Category : Apples
ISBN : 9780549072775

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Compost increased SOM content at both LB and HR. Compost also had the most consistent effect on other soil properties and soil respiration. Amendment did not affect the % N in the trees, but vetch/barley amendment increased % NDFF at HR and fertilizer uptake efficiency (FUE) at LB. % NDFF and FUE were low in compost amended plots. Trees in compost acquired N from sources other than fertilizer.

Author : Marc A. Rowley
Publisher :
Page : 110 pages
File Size : 20,25 MB
Release : 2011
Category :
ISBN :

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PUBLIC ABSTRACT: Managing fruit orchards involves both the management of the orchard trees, and the orchard floor. Orchard floor management is vital to tree health, yield and fruit quality. Current standard management practices include maintaining a vegetation free tree row and a grass-covered alleyway. This system effectively controls weeds and creates a favorable environment for the fruit trees. However, limitations to standard orchard floor practices are that the grass alleyway provides no nutrient benefit, and current practices do not readily lend themselves to organic management. Alternative in-row and alleyway systems are requisite to creating improved orchard floor management systems. Three different approaches were used to investigate alternative orchard floor management strategies, including: alternative in-row weed control with combinations of mulch and organic herbicides, alternative alleyway management with legume cover crops, and combinations of in-row and alleyway alternative strategies. The best organic in-row weed control was accomplished with combinations of straw and acetic acid (vinegar). However, this management approach was not economically viable at current costs of labor and supplies, and current fruit prices. The alternative alleyway treatments of alfalfa and alfalfa clover contributed the most above-ground biomass and nitrogen, but consumed 45% more water than the conventional grass alleyway. Among in-row and alleyway alternative combinations, treatments that experienced the most competition from weeds resulted in lower yields. Commercial orchard managers in the Intermountain West need information on optimum orchard floor management for their unique environment. Results from these studies were integrated into a series of grower recommendations that are contained in Chapter 5. Alternative orchard floor management strategies that improve orchard sustainability provide immediate benefits to fruit industry employees and businesses. Long-term benefits will also impact fruit consumers as well as urban and sub-urban neighbors that share the environment.

Author : Amaya Francesca Atucha
Publisher :
Page : 276 pages
File Size : 37,15 MB
Release : 2012
Category :
ISBN :

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Groundcover management systems (GMSs) are essential in fruit production to achieve and sustain orchard productivity over long-term production cycles. The present dissertation compiles four studies evaluating the effects of GMSs on the long-term performance and nutrient dynamics of an apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) orchard, and on tree growth and production, erosion rates, and root system development of a hillside avocado (Persea americana Mill.) orchard. Four GMSs-pre-emergence herbicides, post-emergence herbicide, a sod cover crop, and bark mulch-were evaluated in the apple orchard. Over 16 years were no consistent long-term trends in fruit yields among GMSs, and long-term responses of trees to groundcover vegetation indicated that trees respond adaptively to compensate for surface vegetation competition. Two Nitrogen (N) budgets were developed for each GMS based on N inputs, internal cycling, and outputs, with and without applied N fertilizer. More than 60% of internal N fluxes were comprised of soil mineralization and recycling groundcover biomass; and harvested fruit represented 70% of N outputs from the system during both years. During the year with N fertilizer, N losses approached 4 and 22% through surface runoff and subsurface leaching, respectively. During the year without N fertilizer, the surface runoff N losses were twice the subsurface leaching N losses in all GMSs. We evaluated three GMSs in a steep hillside avocado orchard in Chile-Bare soil (BS), a vegetation strip (VS), and a groundcover (GC) covering the entire surface of the plots. Three years after tree establishment, trees in the BS plots were significantly bigger and produced more fruit than trees in the VS and GC treatments, but soil physical properties had deteriorated in the BS compared to the other treatments. Runoff volumes, soil erosion, and nutrient losses were consistently higher in the BS than VS and CG treatments. Trees in BS plots had more shallow and thicker roots than in VS and GC. Lifespans of roots in the BS and VS plots were 61% and 47% greater than in the GC plots, respectively. More root production was observed in the non-bearing year than in the bearing year, in all the GMS treatments.

Author : Peter Bacon
Publisher : CRC Press
Page : 630 pages
File Size : 37,13 MB
Release : 1995-01-23
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 9780824789947

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This study examines the interactions between nitrogen and the ecosystem and discusses nitrogen fertilization practices around the world. Simulation models that play an important role in determining the dynamics of source-sink relationships are presented, helping to pinpoint inefficiencies and develop strategies to synchronize nitrogen supply and demand.

Author : Ian Warrington
Publisher : John Wiley & Sons
Page : 536 pages
File Size : 43,91 MB
Release : 2018-03-27
Category : Science
ISBN : 111943095X

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Horticultural Reviews presents state-of-the-art reviews on topics in horticultural science and technology covering both basic and applied research. Topics covered include the horticulture of fruits, vegetables, nut crops, and ornamentals. These review articles, written by world authorities, bridge the gap between the specialized researcher and the broader community of horticultural scientists and teachers.