Effects of Cover Crops on Yield and Quality of Kiwifruit

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of some cover crops used in kiwi orchards for weed control on fruit yield and quality. Experiments were conducted in Samsun province of Turkey between the years 2012 - 2014 in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Nine experimental treatments were arranged as single Trifolium repensL. (Tr), Festuca rubra rubraL. (Frr), F arundinacea(Fa); a mixture of these three species (40, 30 and 30%), Vicia villosaRoth. and Trifolium meneghinianumCelm sown plots, weedy control plot, mechanical control plot and herbicide-treated plot. Cover crop treatments had significant effects on yield and quality traits of kiwi fruit. The highest yield was obtained with T. meneghinianum(17,879 kg·ha ^-1), and the lowest yield was obtained with mechanical control (8,304 kg·ha ^-1). The highest values for fruit length were obtained with V. villosa(74.9 mm) and F. arundinaceae(72.9 mm), whereas the lowest fruit length was obtained with mechanical control (62.4 mm). The highest values of fruit width were obtained for F. arundinaceae, F. rubra rubra, T. Meneghinianum, and V. villosawith 57.2 mm, 56.7 mm, 56.7 mm and 56.6 mm of fruit width, respectively. The lowest values of fruit width were mechanical control (53.2 mm), herbicide control (54.1 mm), and Tr+Frr+Fa mixture (54.2 mm). For the shape index, the highest values of 0.89 and 0.87 were associated with T. meneghinianumand mechanical control, respectively, and the lowest value of 0.76 was obtained with the V. villosa. The highest values for fruit weight were obtained from the V. villosaat 142.1 g and weedy control at 135.8 g. The lowest fruit weight of 74.1 g was obtained from mechanical control. Total soluble solids concentration (TSS) was highest for weedy control with a value of 9.4%, whereas lowest TSS were obtained with Tr+Frr+Fa mixture with a value of 7.8%.

Present results revealed that cover crops could be used as an alternative and efficient tool for weed control in kiwi orchards. Further research and grower training are recommended for the widespread use of cover crops in kiwi orchards.