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Journal of Agriculture ›› 2021, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (7): 37-43.doi: 10.11923/j.issn.2095-4050.cjas20190400005

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Long-term Straw Mulching: Effects on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties and Organic Carbon Accumulation in Orchards

Hu Yanfang1(), Zhang Mingkui2()   

  1. 1Kecheng District Soil-Fertilizer and Rural Energy Technology Extension Station of Quzhou City, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang, China
    2College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
  • Received:2019-04-23 Revised:2019-10-12 Online:2021-07-20 Published:2021-08-04
  • Contact: Zhang Mingkui E-mail:871838938@qq.com;mkzhang@zju.edu.cn

Abstract:

To understand the effects of long-term straw mulching on soil quality in low hilly orchards in southern China, 2 adjacent orchards with the same site condition and planting time were selected in central Zhejiang (orchard with straw mulching for 6 years and orchard with conventional planting, respectively). We collected soil samples of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm from the two orchards, and comprehensively analyzed the physical and chemical properties of soil samples, and discussed the effects of long-term straw mulching on the soil quality. The results showed that: long-term straw mulching could significantly reduce the soil bulk density of 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm, and increase the soil water-holding capacity and the water-stable aggregates’ content; could significantly increase the accumulation of organic matter, the amount of active organic matter, available potassium and medium and trace elements, as well as the number of soil microorganisms and enzyme activities; meanwhile, long-term straw mulching could reduce the soil acidity and prevent the sanding of topsoil; compared with the control, the contribution of light, coarse and fine particulate organic carbon to total organic carbon in soil with straw mulching increased significantly; the straw mulching had little influence on 20-30 cm soil layer. In conclusion, the straw mulching has obvious ecological effects on citrus orchards, which can effectively prevent soil erosion, improve the physical and chemical properties of soil, and enhance the nutrient supply capacity of soil. It can be used as a water conservation measure to improve the soil fertility in low hilly citrus orchards.

Key words: Low Hilly Orchard, Straw Mulching, Soil Quality, Organic Carbon Accumulation, Aggregate, Enzyme Activity

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