Growth and yield of plum trees in response to in-row orchard floor management

Abstract

Research was conducted in 2009–2015 on Valjevka plum trees (Prunus domestica L.) that were grafted onto Myrobalanseedlings (Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. var. divaricata Ledeb.). Trees were planted in the spring of 2008. From 2009 the following methodsof soil cultivation under tree canopies were introduced: spraying with foliar herbicides; mulching with organic waste, i.e. straw withcompost; mechanical soil cultivation with the use of rotary cultivators and hoe; weed mowing. On the control plots with limitedweeding, the weeds growing around tree trunks were pulled several times a year. From 2010 to 2015, highest total yield of plums wasproduced on plots weeded with herbicides and it was substantially higher than on the mulched plots. The method of soil cultivation hadno influence on the area of cross-section of the tree trunks or the total soluble solids of the fruit, and the mean weight of the fruit wasnoticeably higher on the mowed plots than the control plots and plots cultivated mechanically. Strong trees of Valjevka plum grafted oncherry plum proved tolerant to weeds.