Effect of planting white clover on nutrients and biological properties of soils in persimmon orchard of Weibei, Shaanxi Province, China.

doi:10.13287/j.1001-9332.201902.020

Abstract

Abstract: Leguminous crop planting is one of the most important managements in sustainable agriculture, which has the potential to improve soil quality and environmental health by increasing N input and facilitating soil and water conservation. In this study, effects of white clover planting on soil nutrients and biological properties in persimmon orchard was investigated to understand its potential effects on improvement of soil fertility and economic performance. Soil samples were collected on September 14^th, 2017 at 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm and 30-40 cm soil depth in two treatments (i.e. ploughing with no grass and planting white clover) in persimmon orchard, and were analyzed for soil available nitrogen, organic matter, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and enzyme activity. Compared to the control, soil available nitrogen, organic matter, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and the activities of urease, sucrase, catalase and alkaline phosphatase all increased in grass treatment. Specifically, in grass planting treatment, soil organic matter and microbial biomass carbon were significantly increased at 0-10 cm soil, and increased soil avai-lable nitrogen was found at 10-20 cm soil. For enzyme activity, significantly elevated urease activity exhibited at surface depth (0-20 cm), while catalase, sucrase activity and geometric mean (GME) of enzyme activity were higher within entire tested soil profile (0-40 cm). Overall, our results indicated white clover planting in orchard could not only facilitate soil fertility, but also reduce chemical fertilizer input and improve economic benefit, which could be considered as a good orchard cultivation mode.

Key words: planting white clover in orchard, soil enzyme activity, economical benefit, soil nutrient

ZUO Yu-huan, LIU Gao-yuan, YANG Li-li, LIANG Lian-you, TONG Yan-an. Effect of planting white clover on nutrients and biological properties of soils in persimmon orchard of Weibei, Shaanxi Province, China.[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2019, 30(2): 518-524.

References

[1] Liu B (刘彬), Deng X-X (邓秀新). Basic research development status of horticulture based on bibliometric analysis. Scientia Agricultura Sinica (中国农业科学), 2015, 48(17): 3504-3514 (in Chinese)
[2] Wang QY, Zhou DM, Cang L. Microbial and enzyme properties of apple orchard soil as affected by long-term application of copper fungicide. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2009, 41: 1504-1509
[3] Liang X-H (梁秀华). Analysis of application practice and ecological effect of saplings in orchard. Modern Horticulture (现代园艺), 2011(12): 47-48 (in Chinese)
[4] Drinkwater LE, Wagoner P, Sarrantonio M. Legume-based cropping systems have reduced carbon and nitrogen losses. Nature, 2006, 396: 262-265
[5] Song Y-P (宋月鹏), Zhang T (张韬), Fan G-J (樊桂菊), et al. Research progress of domestic and foreign growing grass technologies and cutting machines in orchard. Journal of Chinese Agricultural Mechanization (中国农机化学报), 2017, 38(5): 111-117 (in Chinese)
[6] Yang M (杨梅), Wang Y-Y (王亚亚), Lu J-Y (陆姣云), et al. Advances in typical patterns to include grass species in orchards and mechanisms to regulate resources within the orchard-grass system in China. Acta Prataculturae Sinica (草业学报), 2017, 26(9): 189-199 (in Chinese)
[7] Du L-Q (杜丽清), Wu H (吴浩), Zheng L-Y (郑良永). Review of eco-environmental effect of orchard sod culture. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin (中国农学通报), 2015, 31(11): 217-221 (in Chinese)
[8] Meng L (孟林). Orchard Sowing Technique. Beijing: Chemical Industry Press, 2004 (in Chinese)
[9] Meng L (孟林), Yu L-H (俞立恒), Mao P-C (毛培春), et al. Effects of inter-planting cocksfoot and white clover as cover crops on the microclimate of apple orchard. Pratacultural Science (草业科学), 2009, 26(8): 132-136 (in Chinese)
[10] Wu JY, Chen MG, Dong CY, et al. Effects of land cover on soil temperature, humidity and moisture in phoebe bournei forest. Agricultural Science and Technology, 2015, 16: 2725-2729
[11] Cao Q (曹铨), Shen Y-Y (沈禹颖), Wang Z-K (王自奎), et al. Effects of living mulch on soil physical and chemical properties in orchards: A review. Acta Prataculturae Sinica (草业学报), 2016, 25(8): 180-188 (in Chinese)
[12] Li S-W (李尚玮), Yang W-Q (杨文权), Zhao R (赵冉), et al. Effects of growing grass on soil fertility of the apple orchard. Acta Agrestia Sinica (草地学报), 2016, 24(4): 895-900 (in Chinese)
[13] Stork PR, Jerie PH. Initial studies of the growth, nitrogen sequestering, and dewatering potential of perennial grass selections for use as nitrogen catch crops in orchards. Crop and Pasture Science, 2003, 54: 27-37
[14] Zhang R (张蕊), Zhi J-F (智健飞), Liu Q-L (刘全兰), et al. Variation of enzyme activity and microbial communities at the rhizosphere soils of intercropping pastures in the pear orchard. Northern Horticulture (北方园艺), 2014(13): 165-171 (in Chinese)
[15] Fu X-Q (付学琴), Liu J-E (刘琚珥), Huang W-X (黄文新). Effects of natural grass on soil microbiology, nutrient and fruit quality of Nanfeng Tangerine Yard. Acta Horticulturae Sinica (园艺学报), 2015, 42(8): 1551-1558 (in Chinese)
[16] Qiu C-P (邱昌朋), Wang Y (王忆), Zhang X-Z (张新忠), et al. Selection and evaluation of suitable grass species for grass cultivation in apple orchard in Beijing suburb. China Fruits (中国果树), 2012(2): 18-22 (in Chinese)
[17] Yang D-S (杨东生), Shi Z-G (石卓功), Xiao Y-Y (校彦赟), et al. Effect of mulching on soil fertility in apple and pear orchard. Northern Horticulture (北方园艺), 2015(3): 147-151 (in Chinese)
[18] Hui Z-M (惠竹梅), Yue T-X (岳泰新), Zhang J (张瑾), et al. Relationship between soil biological characteristics and nutrient content under intercropping system of vineyard in Northwestern semiarid area. Scientia Agricultura Sinica (中国农业科学), 2011, 44(11): 2310-2317 (in Chinese)
[19] Zhou M-S (周民生), Jiang Y-C (蒋迎春), Luo Q-W (罗前武), et al. Screening experiment of cultivated grass seed in kiwifruit orchard. China Fruits (中国果树), 2009(5): 29-32 (in Chinese)
[20] Wang Y-F (王耀锋), Shao L-L (邵玲玲), Liu Y-X (刘玉学), et al. Effects of inter-planting grass on soil organic carbon and active components of carbon pool in peach orchard. Acta Ecologica Sinica (生态学报), 2014, 34(20): 6002-6010 (in Chinese)
[21] Bao S-D (鲍士旦). Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Analysis. 3rd Ed. Beijing: China Agriculture Press, 2000 (in Chinese)
[22] Wu J-S (吴金水). Method for Determination of Soil Microbial Biomass and Application. Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 2006 (in Chinese)
[23] Hui Z-M (惠竹梅), Li H (李华), Long Y (龙妍), et al. Variation of soil microbial populations and relationships between microbial factors and soil nutrients in cover cropping system of vineyard. Acta Horticulturae Sinica (园艺学报), 2010, 37(9): 1395-1402 (in Chinese)
[24] Tagliavini M, Tonon G, Scandellari F, et al. Nutrient recycling during the decomposition of apple leaves (Malus domestica) and mowed grasses in an orchard. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 2007, 118: 191-200
[25] Tu J-L (屠娟丽), Fei W-Y (费伟英), Zhang C-P (张彩平). Effects of grass cultivation on soil structure and enzyme activity in peach orchard. South China Fruits (中国南方果树), 2016, 45(2): 134-137 (in Chinese)
[26] Snchez EE, Giayetto A, Cichn L, et al. Cover crops influence soil properties and tree performance in an organic apple (Malus domestica Borkh) orchard in northern Patagonia. Plant and Soil, 2007, 292: 193-203
[27] Li H-K (李会科), Zhang G-J (张广军), Zhao Z-Y (赵政阳), et al. Effects of inter-planting of herbage on soil nutrient of non-irrigated apple orchard in the Loess Plateau. Acta Horticulturae Sinica (园艺学报), 2007, 34(2): 477-480 (in Chinese)
[28] He L-L (何莉莉), Yang H-M (杨慧敏), Zhong Z-K (钟哲科), et al. Effects of sod culture on soil nutrient characteristics and bacterial community in peach orchard. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin (中国农学通报), 2013, 29(19): 179-183 (in Chinese)
[29] Bradley RL. A kinetic parameter describing soil available carbon and its relationship to rate increase in C mine-ralization. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 1995, 27: 167-172
[30] Wang Y-T (王艳廷), Ji X-H (冀晓昊), Wu Y-S (吴玉森), et al. Research progress of cover crop in Chinese orchard. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2015, 26(6): 1892-1900 (in Chinese)
[31] Yu W-T (宇万太), Ma Q (马强), Zhao X (赵鑫), et al. Changes of soil active organic carbon pool under different land use types. Chinese Journal of Ecology (生态学杂志), 2007, 26(12): 2013-2016 (in Chinese)
[32] Li D-P (李东坡), Wu Z-J (武志杰), Chen L-J (陈利军), et al. Dynamics of urease activity in a long-term fertilized black soil and its affecting factors. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology (应用生态学报), 2003, 14(12): 2208-2212 (in Chinese)
[33] Xu L-F (徐凌飞), Han Q-F (韩清芳), Wu Z-Y (吴中营), et al. Spatial variability of soil enzyme activity in pear orchard under clean and sod cultivation models. Scientia Agricultura Sinica (中国农业科学), 2010, 43(23): 4977-4982 (in Chinese)
[34] Wu Y-S (吴玉森), Zhang Y-M (张艳敏), Ji X-H (冀晓昊), et al. Effects of natural grass on soil nutrient, enzyme activity and fruit quality of pear orchard in Yellow River Delta. Scientia Agricultura Sinica (中国农业科学), 2013, 46(1): 99-108 (in Chinese)
[35] Yang W-Q (杨万勤), Wang K-Y (王开运). Advances on soil enzymology. Chinese Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology (应用与环境生物学报), 2002, 8(5): 564-570 (in Chinese)