Long term ground cover options for apple orchards

Abstract

A trial was established in a new Hawkes Bay apple orchard in September 1998 to determine how well various ground cover treatments could control weed competition and influence tree production Results are presented after six growing seasons Competition during the first growing season resulted in effects on the trees that were still measurable many years later Dichondra (Dichondra micrantha) gave a good ground cover for the first few years but slowly regressed to hardtocontrol weed species The red fescue (Festuca rubra) plots survived better than dichondra although also had problems Bark mulch needed continual assistance from herbicides Some of the treatments were modified after two growing seasons to investigate establishing ground covers after initially using bark mulches Results are discussed in terms of using any form of ground cover as a weed control option in orchards looking at advantages disadvantages and effects on the weed flora