Vol. 2 (6) : November-December 2011 issue
Green Farming Vol. 2 (6) : 631-635 (November-December, 2011) (New Series)
Influence of mulching, cover cropping and manuring on fruit quality, orchard nutrition and weed suppression in ‘Aoshima’ mandarin
SHRESTHA1* and FUSAO MIZUTANI2
Bioresource Production Science Department, The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
Designation : 1Ph.D. Scholar *(arjun_arkita@yahoomail.com), 2Professor
Subject : Fruit Science and Pomology
Paper No. :
Total Pages : 5
Received :
Revised accepted :
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Citation :
SHRESTHA and FUSAO MIZUTANI. 2011. Influence of mulching, cover cropping and manuring on fruit quality, orchard nutrition and weed suppression in ‘Aoshima’ mandarin. Green Farming Vol. 2 (6) : 631-635 (November-December, 2011) (New Series).
ABSTRACT
Organic mulching, white clover cover cropping and animal manuring were compared with conventional practice (chemical fertilizer) in `Aoshima` mandarin orchard regarding fruit quality, orchard nutrition and weed suppression. Different practices significantly influenced fruit weight. Manuring and mulching produced greater yield and larger fruit with lesser peel content. Higher TSS, sucrose, glucose, fructose and acidity was recorded in control while lower acidity and higher TSS: TA ratio in manuring. Soil total carbon and phosphorus content were better with mulching while nitrogen with manuring. The N, P, K, Ca, Mg content in leaf was not statistically different but TC was significantly improved by manuring and mulching. White clover as cover crop had positive influence on leaf N and P. Mulching and cover cropping suppressed weed.
Key words :
Aoshima mandarin, Citrus unshiu, conventional practices, fruit quality, organic mulching, weed suppression.
