Increase Soil Organic Matter in Citrus Soils

2002 Annual Report for FS02-151

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2002: $8,112.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Region: Southern
State: Texas
Principal Investigator:

Increase Soil Organic Matter in Citrus Soils

Summary

Many soils in the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, that are planted in citrus, tend to be well drained sandy loams and fine sandy clay loams. Under clean cultivation and/or herbicide weed control systems, these soils have become very low in organic matter over time.

Low organic matter in these bare soils contributes to soil compaction between the rows. These soils also hold a lower reserve of nutrients when the organic matter percentage is low than when soil organic matter is at its most sustainable. And when these soils are not able to hold soil nutrients, particularly those applied frequently as chemical fertilizers, there is greater leaching of highly soluble nutrients out of the root zone.

In this project, the producer intends to increase the organic matter in his soils by adding compost under the tree canopy line and also by planting legume crops between the tree rows. The compost will slowly decompose and add organic matter to the soil. The legume cover crop will also add organic matter and contribute nitrogen to the system.

Sixteen acres will be used for this trial and the tests will be laid out in a complete randomized block design. The conventional system for that area will be used as the control and the treatments will be the use of compost and a legume cover crop. Soil nutrients, physical characteristics and soil moisture will be measured as well as citrus yield and fruit quality.