Mulching effects on transpiration of a nectarine orchard

Abstract

• Mulching systems are becoming important in the modern fruit orchard cropping systems. • In climates of high evaporative demand, mulches are used to reduce evaporation losses from the soil surfaces. Other possible benefits are acceleration of crop development by increasing soil temperature and erosion prevention among others. • Previous studies on horticultural crops have shown an increase of transpiration rates under different mulching systems. To our knowledge, no works have been reported on the effect of mulching on transpiration rates of fruit orchards. • Then, the main goal of this work was to study the transpiration rates of a drip-irrigated nectarine crop under 3 mulching treatments and compare them to a bare soil reference.

Conclussions: • On average transpiration rates have increased by the use of different mulching treatments. These increases have been 33% for black plastic, 30% for geotextil, 19% for pine bark. • These results should be considered as preliminary due to relative high variability observed among the different blocks of the same treatment. • Second experimental campaign should be performed in order to confirm the results.