Effect of cover crop species and SCB liquid manure application on leaf mineral content, fruit quality, and soil chemical properties in an Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) orchard

Cover cropping and liquid manure application are considered as effective ways to replace the use of chemical fertilizer in orchards. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cover crop species and liquid manure application rate on green manure production, leaf mineral content, fruit quality, and soil chemical properties in an Asian pear orchard. The treatments included rye and hairy vetch as cover crops, two liquid manure application levels based on N and K₂O requirements of each cover crop species, and chemical fertilizer as control. Dry matter production was higher with hairy vetch than with rye. K content of Asian pear leaves and soil exchangeable K content increased in N-based liquid manure application treatments. The yield was higher in rye + liquid manure and fertilizer treatments, and fruit quality was not different between the treatments. Taking all of these into account, rye + K₂O requirement-based liquid manure application is recommended in Asian pear orchards for not only sufficient nutrient supply but also prevention of any problems related with soil K₂O accumulation in Asian pear orchards in the long term.