Organic Fertilization, Cover Crops and Plastic Mulching Effects on Soil Temperture and Moisture, Vegetative Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of

M. A., Aly,; El-Megeed, A. Abd; Yousif, Afaf, M. A.

doi:10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2010.2336

Organic Fertilization, Cover Crops and Plastic Mulching Effects on Soil Temperture and Moisture, Vegetative Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of "Anna"Apple Trees

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Fac. of Agric., Saba Bacha, Plant Prod. Dep. Alex. Univ.

² Hort. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2010.2336

Abstract

Apple orchard cv. Anna/MM106 rootstock planted in 2003 at 4 x 3 m at Al- Nubaria , Behira governorate, were treated during 2009 and 2010 seasons in the inter-row spaces by: 1) check – plots, CP (Control); 2) black polyethylene film, BPF (from the tree trunk to the tree canopy, 0.12 mm thick applied from February to October each season); 3) white polyethylene film, WPF (from the tree trunk to the tree canopy, 0.12 mm thick applied from February to October each season); 4) mulching with Alfalfa straw, MAS; 5) mulching with Rice straw, MRS and 6) compost of organic matter, COM (15m3/Fed.) applied once at December. Trees were planted in a sandy loam with a pH of 7.6 and irrigation was drip system. Results indicated that, all plastic mulch coverings treatments (BPF and WPF) and applied compost of organic matter (COM) showed an increment in soil temperature and soil moisture content in both seasons as compared with control treatment. Moreover, plastic films around the trees gave the highest increment in shoot length, number of leaves/shoot and leaf area followed by mulching with alfalfa or rice coverings soil treatments as compared with check plot treatment, while the compost organic matter treatment gave the lowest value in both experimental seasons. Also, all mulching treatments with plastic films, covering crops, as well as, compost organic matter caused an increased fruit weight (g), tree yield (Kg), fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit firmness as compared with check plot treatment in both seasons. Fruit color percentages had greater light intensity at all polyethylene films applications than light reflected from the other covering crops, compost organic matter and untreated trees. The same trend was found for anthocyanin contents in fruits at both seasons. Concerning the TSS % and acidity %, results showed that mulching treatments either with polyethylene or cover crops decreased the two parameters comparing with control treatment in both seasons, while the reverse was true for starch and total sugar contents. Moreover, the applied treatments increased significantly leaf and fruit N, P, K, Fe, Zn and Mn contents as compared with the control treatment in both seasons.

Main Subjects