Q1
What is tillege pan (hardpan)? How to solve it?
The tillege pan is generally a compacted layer 18-40 cm below the topsoil. It is hard and compact, affecting water penetration, air circulation and root development of dry crops, and is often caused by prolonged farming, paddy field planting or man-made mechanical operations. If you want to improve the phenomenon of the tillege pan, then you can do:
- Deep plowing of the soil to break up the hardpan.
- Improve field drainage.
- Apply more organic fertilizers to improve the soil structure.
- Plant deep-rooted leguminous green manure with the ability to penetrate the compaction layer.
Q2
Does herbaceous cultivation consume more fertilizer and increase the risk of pests and diseases?
Grass cultivation in orchards competes with the main crop for nutrients and absorbs some of the applied fertilizer. However, mulching vegetation has benefits. It affects the growth and development of fruit tree root systems, promoting the growth of fine roots in the soil’s surface layer. Additionally, it helps reduce topsoil erosion caused by rainfall, minimizing water and fertilizer loss. Vegetation growth and its transpiration can move nutrients washed down to the subsoil upward through capillary action. The roots of leguminous crops can form rootnodule that fix Nitrogen, providing a natural source of fertilizer. This process enhances the effectiveness and utilization of nutrients. Nutrients contained in dead plants or pruned plant residues will also be released for fruit trees to utilize. Herbaceous cultivation improves the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties. It competes with weeds, helping to inhibit their growth, and, in conjunction with field management practices such as plowing, crop rotation, and pruning, it enhances nutrient absorption in the main crop. Some grasses have properties that either repel or attract pests, which can help protect the main crop from pests and diseases. Therefore, with proper selection and management, herbaceous cultivation can enhance the orchard's production environment, strengthen soil health, and improve nutrient absorption by the fruit tree roots, contributing to ecologically sustainable agricultural practices.
Q3
Is it necessary to apply organic fertilizers to herbaceous cultivated orchards?
Supplementation of soil with organic fertilizers depends on the organic matter content of the soil in the area. Supplementation of organic matter improves the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil, making it looser, more airy, better drained and more diverse in terms of microbial communities. To increase the organic matter content of the soil, fully-rotted organic fertilizers can be applied. For orchards, it is recommended that the organic matter content of the soil should be higher than 3%, and organic fertilizers in orchards can be applied to the soil by ring method, strip method, or hole method.