Effect of Tree-Row Mulching on Soil Characteristics as well as Growth and Development of Pear Trees
2015
Han, X. | Li, Y. L. | Wang, L. F. | Liu, S. L. | Zhang, J. G.
The effect of mulching with different materials in the tree row was studied on soil physical and chemical characteristics as well as growth and development of five- to seven-year-old ‘Whangkeumbae’ (Pyrus pyrifolia) pear trees. Treatments included purple alfalfa (Medicago sativa), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), bluegrass (Poa annua), corn stalk (Zea mays), white or black plastic films and ground fabric, with clean cultivation serving as the control. Results indicated that covering the soil with different mulching materials consistently increased soil water-holding capacity: at 0-20 cm soil depth it was highest for corn stalk and at 20-40 cm depth it was highest for the plastic films and ground fabric. Generally, both plastic films and ground fabric showed a temperature increasing trend, with annual average temperature increasing by 3.34°C in the case of white plastic film. Contrarily, plant mulching materials showed a temperature decreasing trend, with annual average temperature decreasing by 0.5°C in case of corn stalk. However, as air temperatures fell in September, all treatments showed a temperature increasing effect. Corn stalk increased soil nutrient content at 0-20 cm depth: organic matter increased by 0.297%, and soil hydrolysable N, available P and K contents by 76.09, 66.76 and 256.93 mg kg-1, respectively. Tall fescue and bluegrass increased leaf area significantly. There was no significant effect of different mulches on leaf chlorophyll content and thickness but purple alfalfa significantly increased leaf Mn, Cu, B and Zn compared to the control. White plastic film, tall fescue and bluegrass significantly increased average fruit weight, however, mulching had no significant effect on fruit firmness and SSC, and titratable acidity in fruit decreased considerably with tall fescue and black films.
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