Abstract
Abstract Soil cover with plastic film is a practice used to optimize the agronomic performance of different crops, but its behavior in the citrus growing conditions of Brazil remains unknown. Five experiments in commercial orchards located in the state of São Paulo, in rainfed or irrigated systems, were carried out to evaluate the effect of soil cover with plastic film (white/black or silver/black color) on the vegetative growth and initial production of sweet orange trees up to 3.5 years after planting. In each location and experiment, completely randomized design was used, with four to ten replicates and five to twelve useful trees per plot. Considering the set of results, soil cover with plastic film increased the average canopy volume by 27% and the average production per tree by 33% compared to control trees without plastic cover. The positive effect of plastic cover was observed until the third year of its application, gradually decreasing with its degradation. In general, greater relative increases were observed in variables evaluated with the use of plastic cover in rainfed experiments than irrigated ones, while the effect of white/black either silver/black films was similar.
Highlights
Citrus orchards have an establishment phase that goes from planting to initial commercial fruit production, which generally lasts three years (DE NEGRI et al, 2005)
Among the different cultural practices that can contribute to this objective, the use of soil cover with plastic films is highlighted, which can be water-repellent or permeable, white or colored, permanent or photo/ biodegradable, reflective or not, and whose application interferes with horticultural and phytosanitary aspects in the orchard (SHIMAZAKI; NESUMI, 2016; JIANG et al, 2014; KASIRAJAN; NGOUAJIO, 2012)
With regard to horticultural aspects, the use of plastic film cover decreases soil thermal amplitude, maintains soil moisture, controls weed and allows for a more efficient use of nutrients applied to soil by plants, factors that together increase productivity in different crops (KASIRAJAN; NGOUAJIO, 2012)
Summary
Citrus orchards have an establishment phase that goes from planting to initial commercial fruit production, which generally lasts three years (DE NEGRI et al, 2005). Among the different cultural practices that can contribute to this objective, the use of soil cover with plastic films is highlighted, which can be water-repellent or permeable, white or colored, permanent or photo/ biodegradable, reflective or not, and whose application interferes with horticultural and phytosanitary aspects in the orchard (SHIMAZAKI; NESUMI, 2016; JIANG et al, 2014; KASIRAJAN; NGOUAJIO, 2012). With regard to horticultural aspects, the use of plastic film cover decreases soil thermal amplitude, maintains soil moisture, controls weed and allows for a more efficient use of nutrients applied to soil by plants, factors that together increase productivity in different crops (KASIRAJAN; NGOUAJIO, 2012). Dark colored plastic covers, such as blue and black, provide increase in soil temperature, implying greater vegetative growth (KUNIGA et al, 2019)
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