The suppression of weeds by cover crops grown as living mulches in perennial fruit crops

摘要

This three year study is investigating the potential advantages of using living mulches in an apple orchard for weed control efficacy, soil moisture requirement, nutrient status and crop quality. A series of experiments in both outdoor containers andin an established apple orchard, are examining the potential of several species for use as living mulches in perennial crops. The species include Trifolium repens (white clover), Medicago lupulina (black medic), Festuca rubra (creeping red fescue), and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil). Results to date demonstrated the high weed (perennial and annual species) suppressive ability of creeping red fescue alone and in a mixture with birdsfoot trefoil. Leguminous species showed no effect on available nitrogen; however, results have shown that white clover requires more moisture. No significant differences were observed in apple yield and quality compared with an herbicide treated control in the year after establishment.