Effects of rain-shelter cultivation on soil physicochemical properties and kiwifruit yield

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the differences in soil physical and chemical properties as well as kiwifruit yield, between rain-shelter cultivation (BY) and open-field cultivation (CK) in Southwest China from 2020 to 2021. The results indicated that the BY treatment significantly improved the nutrient supply capacity of the soil and increased fruit yield. Compared with CK, soil moisture, bulk density, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and organic matter content were lower under the BY treatment, whereas soil conductivity, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium were significantly higher. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant differences in the soil physical and chemical properties between the two cultivation methods at each sampling period. Correlation analysis between yield and soil physical and chemical properties showed that except for pH, all indicators were highly correlated with yield (R2>0.87**). The BY treatment significantly increased yield by enhancing soil contents such as soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while reducing water content and bulk density. However, owing to the increase in soil electrical conductivity, there is a potential risk of salinization. To mitigate this, it is essential to supplement the soil with total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and organic matter to maintain soil health.