Assessment of a Method for Soil Fatigue by the Middle Row Spacing and its Practical Approach in an Intensive Apple Orchard

To fulfill the aim of this study rhizospheric soil samples were collected from apple tree to find out the changes in soi properties. This involved comparing soil fertility under trees (trunk strips) with that middle of garden aisles, highlighting the need for a comparative method to evaluate physical, chemical and biological parameters of soil.

Researchers used middle of uncovered row spacing as a reference point for comparison. They examined various soil parameters under different irrigation conditions (optimal and without irrigation) and compared trunk strips with the blackened row spacing. This comparative analysis, supported by an extensive database, enabled the development of a predictive model to assess soil fertility changes under specific technological parameters.

Hygroscopic soil moisture was consistently higher in the trunk strips and blackened row spacing. Under both optimal irrigation and no irrigation, the maximum field moisture capacity was lower in the blackened soil. At all irrigation levels, soil hydrolytic acidity was higher in areas covered by legumes and grasses, while amount of exchange bases was lower in the blackened soil. Nitrate concentrations were always higher in the blackened aisles. At optimal and no irrigation, more yeast cells were found in the trunk strip soils, whereas blackened aisles consistently harbored a greater abundance of mold fungi.