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  • 1
    ISSN: 1572-9680
    Keywords: competition ; forage species ; growth analysis ; intercropping ; polyethylene mulching
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Combined production of timber and forage species is considered to be a desirable land-use system to offset some of the current land management problems of Italy. This paper reports the early results of a study on intercropping young plants of walnut with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), with or without polyethylene mulching, in an experimental plantation in central Italy. Two genotypes of walnut were used:Juglans regia L. and the French hybrid NG23×RA. The seasonal changes of absolute and relative growth rates of walnut stem diameter and apical shoot length were investigated. During both growing seasons, alfalfa intercropping strongly decreased walnut growth, whereas polyethylene mulching promoted stem height and diameter growth. Stem growth of intercropped-and-mulched walnut was the same as that of sole walnut under clean cultivation management. The use of polyethylene mulching reduced or avoided the competitive effect of associated alfalfa on walnut growth. During both growing seasons, the intercropped-and-mulched walnut had higher relative growth rates than intercropped-unmulched walnut. The results show the effectiveness of polyethylene mulching in promoting early growth of walnut, even when intercropped with alfalfa during early stages of plantation establishment.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 2
    ISSN: 1572-9680
    Keywords: alfalfa intercropping ; available water ; polyethylene mulching ; pore shape ; pore size distribution
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract Early and significant influences on soil physical properties are expected in temperate agroforests as a consequence of various soil and/or understory management practises. Soil physical characteristics were studied in an agroforestry trial of common walnut (Juglans regia L.) set up on a volcanic soil in central Italy, where clean cultivation, polyethylene mulching along tree rows and intercropping of walnut with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were tested. Soil total porosity, size distribution and morphology of pores, and available water were evaluated during the second and the fourth growing season of the plantation to determine the possible influence and duration of the treatments on soil physical properties. In the first sampling the total porosity was two to three times greater than in the second one and no significant differences were found between treatments. Seasonal variation in total porosity was observed, with a maximum in summer. All dimensional classes of pores 〉 50 μm were well represented, thus indicating an adequate soil structure. In the fourth growing season total porosity and pore size distribution were very similar in clean cultivation and mulching so that the mulching effect on the structural characteristics of this soil was equivalent to that of repeated rototilling in clean-cultivated plots. Moreover, mulching stimulated more biological activity, resulting in a higher proportion of rounded pores. Alfalfa roots created a more homogeneous environment to a depth of 35 cm, with a greater presence of elongated pores in the range 50--500 μm that could make movement of water easier. Most of the water retained was unavailable for plants, so that competition between walnuts and alfalfa took place and could be associated with the lower stem growth of intercropped walnuts.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
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