Living Legume Mulch as an Effective and Improved Approach in Integrated Soil Management in Intensive Organic Apple Orchards

Abstract

The aim of international research project of European Union “DOMINO” was to develop and examine an innovative management strategy in intensive organic fruit orchards: 1) dynamic “living mulches” in the row, such as cash crops with vegetative organs and the sod with legumes between the rows for weed control; 2) fertilization by recycled soil amendments and leguminous crops to increase resource use efficiency and improve ecosystem services, and 3) partly closed covering net systems to support non chemical pest and diseases control. The content of NH+4 during the second season – 2020 was an increase for on row and inter row forage pea and for inter row white clover variants, because of the leguminous crops sown there. The data for phosphorus for 2020 and 2021 show a clear increasing trend for Golden B variety, which is clearly visible in 2021. Values of K2O for 2020 and for 2021 increase significantly about 2–3 times which meets the requirements for good soil availability. Calcium leads Golden B for inter row white clover variant and for magnesium content for the same variant. The two leguminous crops provided the trees with Mg very well. The highest content of iron in the forage pea variant on row for Golden B and for Granny Smith varieties.