Survival and growth of peach trees and pest populations in orchard plots managed with experimental ground covers

Field experiments conducted in North and South Carolina (USA) demonstrated that survival and growth of peach trees ( Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) as well as the severity of orchard pest populations (arthropods and nematodes) are profoundly affected by the plant species selected for orchard ground cov...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agriculture, ecosystems & environment ecosystems & environment, 1992-09, Vol.41 (3), p.353-363
Main Authors: Meyer, John R., Zehr, Eldon I., Meagher, Robert L., Salvo, Stephen K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
CAROLINA DEL NORTE
CAROLINA DEL SUR
CAROLINE DU NORD
CAROLINE DU SUD
Control
COVER PLANTS
CRECIMIENTO
CRICONEMELLA
CROISSANCE
Cultural control
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
GESTION
GROWTH
HEMIPTERA
HUERTO FRUTAL
Insecta
Invertebrates
MALEZAS
MANAGEMENT
MAUVAISE HERBE
NORTH CAROLINA
ORCHARDS
Phytopathology. Animal pests. Plant and forest protection
PLANTAS DE COBERTURA
PLANTE DE COUVERTURE
Protozoa. Invertebrates
PRUNUS PERSICA
SOUTH CAROLINA
SUPERVIVENCIA
SURVIE
SURVIVAL
TETRANYCHUS URTICAE
VERGER
WEEDS
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Summary:Field experiments conducted in North and South Carolina (USA) demonstrated that survival and growth of peach trees ( Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) as well as the severity of orchard pest populations (arthropods and nematodes) are profoundly affected by the plant species selected for orchard ground cover. Cover crops of brome ( Bromus mollis L.), hard fescue ( Festuca longifolia Thuill.) and rattail fescue ( Vulpia myuros (L.) C. Gmelin) caused high mortality in young peach trees. Bahia-grass ( Paspalum notatum var. sauri Parodi) stunted tree growth, and Korean lespedeza ( Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim.) supported unacceptably large populations of arthropod pests. Nimblewill ( Muhlenbergia schreberi J.F. Gmelin) emerged from these experiments as the most promising candidate for ground cover in commercial peach orchards. This short-statured perennial grass tolerated drought, grew well in partial shade, did not harbor two-spotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urticae Koch) or catfacing insects (Hemiptera), inhibited populations of ring nematodes ( Criconemella xenoplax (Raski) Luc and Raski), and survived winter weather with little injury. Nimblewill successfully crowded out most weed species, but it did not appear to be highly competitive with peach trees for water and nutrients even when growing directly under the tree canopy.
ISSN:0167-8809
1873-2305
DOI:10.1016/0167-8809(92)90121-Q