Comparison of white clover and mixed sodgrass as orchard floor vegetation

Abstract

Spartan apple trees on M·26 (Malus domestica Borkh.) rootstock, planted in 1983, were grown for 8 yr (1985-1992) at 60 and 180 kg N ha-1 yr-1 with five orchard floor vegetation management treatments. A white clover cover over the whole orchard floor increased leaf N concentration relative to complete sod cover, but had negative effects on tree vigour and yield. Maximum vigour and yield occurred when in-row weed competition was controlled in a 1.5-m-strip, regardless of orchard floor vegetation beyond the strip.