Use of organic applications to increase productivity of high density apple orchards.

摘要

Field trials were conducted in 1995-99 in British Columbia, Canada to investigate the effects of a range of organic materials used as mulches or amendments on the growth, yield and nutrition of apple trees and on the properties of the orchard soil. Surface mulch application improved the growth and yield of apple planted in high density systems. Surface mulching improved soil nutrient status and biological activity and buffered the trees against moisture stress resulting from inadequate irrigation. Initial growth stimulation from mulching was not sustained at a site where excessive irrigation reduced N availability. Rotovation of a biosolid amendment to 0.3 m depth prior to planting improved the P nutrition and initial growth of apple. Amendment treatment did not always affect apple tree performance. Effects were not observed at sites with strong fertigation regimes or fertile soils or when sites had overriding growth limitations unaffected by treatment (e.g. replant disease, K deficiency).