Growth and yield of plum trees in response to in-row orchard floor management

Authors : Jerzy LISEK, Zbigniew BULER

Pages : 97-102

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Publication Date : 2018-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :  Research was conducted in 2009-2015 on Valjevka plum trees insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Prunus domestica L.); that were grafted onto Myrobalan seedlings insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. var. divaricata Ledeb.);. Trees were planted in the spring of 2008. From 2009 the following methods of soil cultivation under tree canopies were introduced: spraying with foliar herbicides; mulching with organic waste, i.e. straw with compost; mechanical soil cultivation with the use of rotary cultivators and hoe; weed mowing. On the control plots with limited weeding, the weeds growing around tree trunks were pulled several times a year. From 2010 to 2015, highest total yield of plums was produced on plots weeded with herbicides and it was substantially higher than on the mulched plots. The method of soil cultivation had no influence on the area of cross-section of the tree trunks or the total soluble solids of the fruit, and the mean weight of the fruit was noticeably higher on the mowed plots than the control plots and plots cultivated mechanically. Strong trees of Valjevka plum grafted on cherry plum proved tolerant to weeds.
Keywords : Herbicides, mowing, mulch, Prunus domestica L, tillage, weeds