ISHS Acta Horticulturae 557: VII International Symposium on Orchard and Plantation Systems
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF MULCH ON CITRUS AND AVOCADO |
| Authors: | B.A. Faber, A.J. Downer, J.A. Menge |
| Keywords: | Citrus sinensis, C. limon, Persea americana, Phytophthora, yard trimmings, soil moisture, soil nutrition |
| Abstract:
Organic mulches were applied to two avocado and two citrus orchards over a four year period. Soil moisture, weed suppression, tree canopy, root growth, soil/leaf nutrient status and fungal populations were measured. There was a pronounced effect of mulch on soil moisture (reduced evaporative loss) and weed growth (substantially reduced with mulch), but plant canopy and leaf nutrient status changes were negligible during the time frame, although soil nutritional changes were noted. An important effect of mulches on root architecture was an increase in root length and spatial distribution in avocado, which was not found in citrus. This change in rooting pattern may partially be responsible for improved disease resistance in avocado. | |
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