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Effect of White clover (Trifolium repens cv. Huia) cover crop on agronomic properties and soil biology in an organic peach orchard

Parveaud, Claude-Eric; Gomez, Christelle; Bussi, Claude and Capowiez, Yvan (2012) Effect of White clover (Trifolium repens cv. Huia) cover crop on agronomic properties and soil biology in an organic peach orchard. ACTA HORTICULTURAE, 933 (1), pp. 373-380.

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Summary

In orchards, cover crops are interesting alternative strategies to tillage or chemical herbicides for managing weeds in the tree row. However, little is known about the effect of cover crops on agronomic properties and soil biology in organic orchards. To fill this gap, the effects of two weed managements, a White clover cover crop (CC) versus classical tillage practice (T) on the tree row, were assessed in an irrigated organic Peach orchard. White clover was sown in 2004, 2006 and 2009 in the tree row and ploughed in 2006 and 2008. Root density, earthworm density, water infiltration rate, nitrogen content and water availability were measured in the soil, in the tree row. In 2009, peach root density observed in the superficial layers was higher in CC treatment. Sampling dates and treatment have a significant effect on total earthworm density with higher abundance observed in CC. However, no difference was observed between CC and T anecic earthworm groups known to make large and vertical burrows. Infiltration rate measured with the simplified Beerkan method was higher in CC treatment. This could be explained by the thick superficial root mat which was associated to a significant higher epigeic earthworm density in CC. Whereas nitrogen supplies were twice lower in CC treatment since 2005, soil nitrogen availability was equivalent in both treatments. These results demonstrate the agronomic interest of nitrogen-fixing plants used as a cover crop in organic peach orchards.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Soil management, nitogen-fixing plant, water infiltration, earthworm ecological groups, root distribution, nitrogen dynamic
Subjects: Soil > Soil quality > Soil biology
Crop husbandry > Soil tillage
Environmental aspects > Biodiversity and ecosystem services
Crop husbandry > Weed management
Research affiliation: France > GRAB - Groupe de Recherche en Agriculture biologique
ISSN:0567-7572
Deposited By: Parveaud, Dr Claude-Eric
ID Code:21132
Deposited On:25 Feb 2013 07:44
Last Modified:25 Feb 2013 07:44
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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