Effects of Weed Management on Growth and Yield of Orange Orchards in Sicily
Intensity of weed competition for water and nutrients varies depending on climatic, soil and crop characteristics, but not much was investigated on grass influence during winter in citrus groves in which soil erosion is not a problem. Aim of the research was to monitor the vegetative and productive responses to different soil management practices on orange trees cv Tarocco during three years. The influence on growth and yield of Tarocco trees was compared between bare soil, by means of herbicides, and conventional soil management in which soil is covered with spontaneous grass from October to May, then mowed and chemically controlled in the remaining months. Higher minimum air temperature and relative humidity, soil temperature and water content in the bare soil treatment were observed. Tree trunk and canopy growth, fruit yield and leaf nitrogen content significantly increased in the bare soil treatment. Trees also showed an earlier vegetative flush growth and higher water potential in springtime. Cumulated yield decreased by 20％ in the conventional soil management and no significant differences on fruit quality were observed.
Citrus Physiology Microclimate Soil Production
C. Germana A. Continella G. Continella
Dipartimento di OrtoFloroArboricoltura e Tecnologie Agroalimentari, Universitd degli Studi di Catania, Via Valdisavoia 5, 95123 Catania, Italy
国际会议
11th International Citrus Congress(第11届国际柑橘大会)
武汉
英文
849-852
2008-10-01（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）