Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T15:21:19.984Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Cultural practices for enhanced growth of young peach trees

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

D. M. Glenn
Affiliation:
Weed Scientist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
W. V. Welker
Affiliation:
Weed Scientist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
Get access

Abstract

A review of orchard soil management effects on tree growth and soil parameters is presented. It shows the gap between present common practices and results achievable in other systems. An alternative soil management system for newly planted peach trees, termed “killed-sod”, is described. This system has improved soil structure and rainfall infiltration and greatly increased early tree growth and yield. A fertilization study has demonstrated that the addition of a complete fertilizer in four different soil management systems could not account for the increased growth resulting from the improved soil environment in the killed-sod system.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Atkinson, D. 1980. The distribution and effectiveness of the roots of tree crops. Hortic. Rev. 2:424:490.Google Scholar
2.Atkinson, D., and White, G. C.. 1981. The effects of weeds and weed control on temperate fruit orchards and their environment. In Thresh, J. M. (ed.). Pests, Pathogens, and Vegetation. Pitman Publishing, Marshfield, Massachusetts, pp. 415428.Google Scholar
3.Byers, R. E. 1984. Control and management of vertebrate pests in deciduous orchards of the eastern United States. Hortic. Rev. 6:253285.Google Scholar
4.Glenn, D. M., and Welker, W. V.. 1987. Soil management effects on soil temperature and heat flux in a young peach orchard. Soil Science 143:372380.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Glenn, D. M., and Welker, W. V.. 1989. The effect of orchard soil management systems on rainfall infiltration. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 114(1):1014.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Haynes, R. J. 1980. Influence of soil management practice on the orchard agro-ecosystem. Agro-Ecosystems 6:332.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Hogue, E. J., and Neilson, G. H.. 1987. Orchard floor vegetation management. Hortic. Rev. 9:377430.Google Scholar
8.Kearney, P. C., and Helling, C. S.. 1969. Reactions of pesticides in soils. Residue Rev. 25:2544.Google ScholarPubMed
9.Russell, E. W. 1971. Soil structure: Its maintenance and improvement. J. Soil Sci. 22:137151.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Welker, W. V., and Glenn, D. M.. 1985. The relationship of sod proximity to the growth and nutrient composition of newly planted peach trees. Hort. Science 20(3):417418.Google Scholar
11.Welker, W. V., and Glenn, D. M.. 1988. Growth responses of young peach trees and changes in soil characteristics with sod and conventional planting systems. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 113(5):652656.CrossRefGoogle Scholar