What are the basic characteristics of the soil in high-yield orchards
Soil is the foundation on which fruit trees depend for survival. The soil of a high-yield orchard generally has the following characteristics: a deep soil layer, loose soil, an active soil layer of a certain thickness (over 60 cm), a high soil organic matter content, and a strong capacity for water retention and nutrient supply.
Walnut is a deep-rooted tree species, with the concentrated distribution layer of its root system 20-60 cm below the ground surface, and it generally requires a soil layer thickness greater than 1 m to ensure normal growth of the root system and the tree. A deep soil layer and loose soil are environmental conditions that favor the development of the walnut root system, thereby promoting aboveground growth and achieving the goals of high yield and high quality.
Pictured: walnut
A high soil organic matter content is another important characteristic of a high-yield orchard. In orchards with a high organic matter content, soil microorganisms are highly active, the soil has a good granular structure, the corresponding available nutrient content is also relatively high, and the capacity for water retention and nutrient supply is strong, which is conducive to the absorption and utilization of nutrients by the fruit tree root system and creates good nutritional conditions for achieving high yield and high quality in fruit trees. High-yield, high-quality orchards require a soil organic matter content of above 2%-3%, but at present the organic matter content of most walnut orchards in China is below 1%, so a large amount of high-quality organic fertilizer needs to be applied to increase the soil organic matter content.
In short, through various soil improvement measures, deepening the thickness of the active soil layer in the soil, improving the soil's physical and chemical properties, increasing the soil organic matter content, expanding the range of the concentrated distribution layer of the walnut root system, and enhancing the root system's ability to absorb and utilize nutrients are the main tasks of soil improvement in walnut orchards.