Abstract
Apple cultivation in Japan typically involves the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides which can damage the environment. Therefore, in this study we investigated the orchard soil biochemical characteristics as well as the fruit nutrient contents, and pesticide residues of apples grown either organically (organic fertilizers + reduced pesticides) or with conventional chemical fertilizers and pesticide rates. Compared with conventional chemical fertilizer treatment, the organic fertilizer treatment produced fruit with significantly higher contents of sugar, as well as soil with higher total carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. There were also significantly greater soil bacterial biomass and N circulation in the organically fertilized treatments. Minimal pesticide residues were detected in the organically fertilized fruits, but in the apples cultivated with conventional rates of fertilizers and pesticides there were significantly higher levels of propargite that was used to control spider mites. These residue levels from the conventionally fertilized orchards exceeded European and Codex residue standards. These results indicate that environmentally friendly arboricultural soil management practices, such as organic fertilizer and reduced pesticide cultivation can enhance nutrient cycling in soil, reduce the burden on the environment, and promote food safety and security.
Highlights
Agriculture 2021, 11, 340. https://Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is an important fruit crop in many countries, includingJapan [1,2]
We evaluated fruit and leaf nutrient contents, soil biochemistry, and pesticide residues in apple orchards cultivated in the same area using either (1) organic fertilizers and reduced pesticides, or (2) conventional chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides
Our current study reveals that environmentally friendly management of orchard soil, using organic farming techniques and reduced-pesticide application, enhances nutrient recycling and improves fruit quality
Summary
Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is an important fruit crop in many countries, including. In a study conducted on different apple orchard cultivation systems, it was found that the highest levels of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were generally found in the soils of organically farmed orchards, and those orchards had greater soil microbial activity [10]. These studies indicate that the higher soil carbon and nitrogen in organically fertilized soils can increase the bacterial biomass, leading to enhanced N and P circulation, producing a rich soil environment with active soil microorganisms. We evaluated fruit and leaf nutrient contents, soil biochemistry, and pesticide residues in apple orchards cultivated in the same area using either (1) organic fertilizers and reduced pesticides, or (2) conventional chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides
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