2006 Annual Report for GNC03-017
Effect of Sustainable Ground Floor Management Systems on Root System Dynamics of Apple and their Contribution to Carbon Sequestration and Nutrient Cycling in the Soil
Summary
The evaluation of three ground floor management systems for organic apple orchards suggests that the Swiss Sandwich System (SSS) is promising for Michigan and other states with similar climate. Mulching (alfalfa hay) increases significantly the amount of available nitrogen and organic matter in the soil compared with the other two systems. Flaming and SSS release the same. Mulching actually releases too much nitrogen risking leaching problems.
Root dynamics were affected from the treatments under evaluation behaving differently depending on time of the year, position related to the tree, and depth in the soil profile.
The systems affect the soil food web with mulching and SSS creating a comparable environment while flame has the lowest population numbers.
Objectives/Performance Targets
Investigate the behavior of apple trees fine roots (timing and rate of growth, and their turnover) subjected to two different ground managements under the organic protocol.
Amount of carbon sequestered in the soil by the trees.
Effects of fine root turnover on nutrient cycling, food-web and soil sustainability.
Introduction of the best ground floor management system for the desired growing conditions.
Accomplishments/Milestones
During 2006 we collected the last trunk cross sectional area data.
We also performed the statistics for the 2005 data and the 2003-2004 fine roots data.
We don’t have results for 2006 since we didn’t collect data for this year.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
In 2006, 68 growers attended the field day. Two talks were given on the project at local and national conferences.