Changes in soil characteristics and properties of black currant using different cultivation systems

Abstract

Mulching is an important agricultural technique that is not widely used in perennial fruit orchards, especially not in black currant plantings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare two mulched (sawdust and black foil) and un-mulched soils (bare fallow) in black currant orchard. The research determined soil physical and chemical characteristics and some properties of black currant (bush volume, yield per unit area, berry weight, soluble solids content). During five-year research, it was found that in all cultivation systems, there were changes in soil characteristics, as well as in the tested properties of black currant. Mulching with sawdust had a stimulating effect on nutrient content (humus, N, P2O5 and K2O) in soil and resulted in a stable soil water regime and steadily low soil temperatures throughout the growing season compared to the other two cultivation systems, which directly led to an increase in the bush volume and yield per unit area. On the other hand, moderate soil temperature and low soil moisture during the growing season, as recorded on bare fallow, promoted the increase in berry weight. In contrast, the soil covered with foil had a positive effect on improved soil mechanical properties, especially an increase in silt fractions and contributed to higher soil temperature and moisture, which caused higher accumulation and synthesis of soluble solids in berries. Generally, the present results suggested that cultivation systems significantly influenced soil characteristics and certain properties of black currant, which should be considered when choosing an appropriate location for establishing black currant orchards.