La gestione delle infestanti nei frutteti a produzione biologica

Nel triennio 2001-2003 diverse tipologie di inerbimento artificiale e di modalità di gestione degli inerbimenti nel sottofila di frutteti sono state confrontate. Tra le specie considerate, Festuca rubra e F. arundinacea hanno garantito un buon livello di copertura durante tutta la stagione, mentre Lolium perenne ha determinato una buona copertura solo al primo anno. Le modalità di gestione del sottofila non hanno influito né sul contenuto di azoto nitrico e ammoniacale del terreno. Two field experiments were carried out in Piemonte (NW Italy) during the period 2001-2003 with the aim to test several mixtures of grasses (including Festuca rubra, F. arundinacea, and Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) and different mowing techniques for management of in-row vegetation in organic apple orchards. During the first year the highest values of soil cover were obtained with mixtures containing L. perenne. In the subsequent years the presence of L. perenne decreased and was replaced by F. rubra. F. arundinacea gave good soil coverage for all the duration of the study, while T. repens was quickly overcame by the other grasses included in the different mixtures. Not significant effects of mowing technique was observed. The effects on yield and fruit quality were generally poor. No effects was observed on soil N content.