Influence of 12 Ground Cover Systems on Young ‘Smoothee Golden Delicious’ Apple Trees: I. Growth

Abstract

Abstract Two-year-old ‘Smoothee Golden Delicious’ apples ( Malus domestica Borkh.) on seedling rootstock were planted in Spring 1981. Twelve different ground cover systems were then established. After one growing season, trees in mulch, bare ground, red sorrel ( Rumex acetosella L.), and nimblewill ( Mulenbergia schreberii J. F. Gmel.) treatments had greater shoot length than trees in legume, tall broadleaf, Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.), orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.), and ‘KY31’ tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea L.) treatments. In the 4th year, the trunk diameter of trees in straw mulch plots were greater than all other treatments. Tree growth in bare ground and cultivation treatments was not different over the 4 years and was as great or greater than in treatments with living ground covers. Trees in tall broadleaf, Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue treatments were smaller than in all other treatments. Nimblewill, a native species to North Carolina mountains, has potential for replacing Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue in orchard soil management systems.