The problem of soil fatigue in apple orchardsmonoculture

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of current domestic and foreign scientific sources regarding the phenomenon of soil depletion in perennial apple orchards, its impact on the growth and productivity of apple trees, and measures to improve the soil’s ecological condition within monocultures. In recent years, there has been an increasing need to establish new apple plantations on land plots after the removal of old orchards. This is influenced by various factors, including the cultivation of intensive short-cycle orchards with necessary infrastructure, economic facilities with access networks situated on privatized lands, the designated use of which cannot be altered. Consequently, establishing new fruit plantations on land previously unused for perennial fruit crops becomes unfeasible. This underscores the necessity of enhancing soil quality indicators, including reducing or entirely mitigating the negative effects of soil depletion on young trees following the removal of old ones. Particular attention is warranted to the adverse impact of cultivating weak-growing varieties on dwarf rootstocks repeatedly. These root systems are located in surface layers of the soil where the majority of the roots from previously grown trees were concentrated. A series of studies have demonstrated the negative influence on plant growth indicators when young trees are grown in the same location as removed orchards. The presence of residual tree roots in the soil suppresses the growth of young plantations, leading to a reduction in stem diameter, shoot growth, and tree height. In global practice, fumigation (chemical and biological), cultivation of specific plant species in interrows for bioremediation with subsequent plowing as cover crops, the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, various biostimulants, and organic additives are often used to minimize the negative effects of soil depletion. Continuous research is being conducted to study various crop varieties, fertilization systems, and agricultural practices aimed at effectively and ecologically safely addressing the issue of soil depletion in specific soil-climatic conditions.