Derim (Dec 2013)
The effects of mulch types on earliness, fruit set ratios, and yield for apricot
Abstract
The objective of this study is to enhance earliness and fruit set, which is a crucial factor in apricot production. The study was conducted on an apricot orchard located in Serinyol town of Antakya between 2010 and 2011. In the experiment, ‘Ninfa’, ‘Bebeco’, ‘Aurora’ and ‘Roksana’ cultivars were used. The experimental cultivars were planted on 3 x 6 m in 2006 as one-year-old plants budded on seedling rootstocks. The plants have been irrigated by drip irrigation since their transplantation. In the experiment, there were four treatments as follows: control, transparent polyethylene mulch, organic mulch, and transparent polyethylene mulch + organic mulch. As plastic mulch, a 0.02 mm (UV+AB) transparent plastic 1.60 cm in width; and, wheat straw as organic mulch was used. The experiment was designed as split-plot experimental design with 5 replications having 1 tree in each replication. The mulch was applied based on the physiological stages of the trees; prior to break of dormancy and opening of the buds. In the study, phenological observations (first flowering, full flowering and the end of the flowering as well as fruit set ratios), the status of vegetative development and yield were determined. As a result, in the both years, the flowering and fruit set ratios of control trees were found lower than the organic mulch or plastic mulch treated trees. Mulching treatments were enhanced 2-4 days earliness compared to control treatment for fruit maturity; and transparent polyethylene mulch + organic mulch was found partially better than the others two mulching treatments.
