Abstract
The use of mulching is an alternative to control weeds but there are few studies on its effect on soil quality. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of types of mulching on the attributes of microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in a Typic Hapludox with production of integrated apples in southern Brazil. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in the Vacaria, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The soil mulch types studied were: pine needle, sawdust, black plastic and a control. The soil samples were collected in February (summer) and August (winter) of 2006, and the attributes related to total organic and microbial carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus were determined. Organic mulchings (pine needle and sawdust) promoted lower soil temperature, and greater moisture, microbial carbon (Cmic), microbial nitrogen (Nmic), and the ratios Cmic:Corg, Nmic:Norg and microbial C:N than black plastic. Microbial phosphorus was greater in winter. Sawdust mulching promoted the best conditions to microbial biomass in winter. The mulch types increased the microbial compartment in winter as compared to the nonweeded control .
Highlights
In Brazil, the apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh) is cultivated in the southern region
This study aims to evaluate the effect of methods of soil mulching, in two seasons, on the C, N and P microbial compartments in a Typic Hapludox with integrated apple production in southern Brazil
The following treatments were tested: soil cover with pine needles, 0.28 m3 in dry weight (0.1 m depth); soil cover with sawdust, 0.25 m3 in dry weight (0.1 m depth); soil cover with black plastic and one treatment without weed control
Summary
In Brazil, the apple tree (Malus domestica Borkh) is cultivated in the southern region. The subtropical temperate climate, differently from other Brazilian regions, contributed to the establishment of the apple crops in this area. The apple tree began to be cultivated commercially in South Brazil around the 1970s. The cultivation was conducted in a conventional orchard system. Recent concerns about sustainable soil use in this region led to the development of alternative systems for apple production (Maluche-Baretta et al, 2007). One of the major management problems of orchards is weed control. This control is usually carried out through herbicide use, primarily in conventional systems. Soil and water pesticide accumulation can contaminate plants and fruits used directly in food (ANVISA, 2007)
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