Nitrogen and carbon management in Australian mango orchards to improve productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Dickinson, Geoff, O'Farrell, Patrick, Ridgway, Kaila, Bally, Ian, Masters, Bronwyn, Nelson, Paul, and Pattison, Tony (2019) Nitrogen and carbon management in Australian mango orchards to improve productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Acta Horticulturae, 1244. pp. 49-60.

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Abstract

Australian mango orchards, particularly of the 'Kensington Pride' cultivar, are often characterized by low yields and irregular bearing. Improved nutrition management techniques which increase total soil carbon sequestration and reduce nitrogen losses (nitrous oxide) may improve productivity and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A factorial trial was established in a 'Kensington Pride' mango orchard at Mareeba, Australia to assess the benefits of applying organic hay mulch to tree rows in combination with three nitrogen fertiliser treatments including two controlled-release fertiliser products. Three years after the initiation of treatments it was found that mango tree growth and fruit productivity was significantly improved when mulching was used to increase soil organic matter. Mulched soils had improved soil water holding capacity, less temperature variability, increased root biomass in the top soil, greater canopy leaf area and higher plant tissue potassium levels. Average fruit weights were increased by 10% and mango fruit yields per tree increased by 11%. Fruit quality was not affected when standard fungicide management treatments were used, although disease levels were higher with no post-harvest fungicide treatment. The nitrogen fertiliser products investigated did not have a significant influence on mango growth or final productivity. Trial results suggest that the adoption of mulching practices in mango orchards is a management practice which can increase orchard productivity and the sequestration of soil organic carbon, without detrimental effects on fruit quality.

Item ID: 60486
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 0567-7572
Additional Information:

Presented at the XII International Mango Symposium

Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2020 00:23
FoR Codes: 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3008 Horticultural production > 300899 Horticultural production not elsewhere classified @ 50%
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation > 410101 Carbon sequestration science @ 30%
30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3002 Agriculture, land and farm management > 300202 Agricultural land management @ 20%
SEO Codes: 82 PLANT PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8202 Horticultural Crops > 820214 Tropical Fruit @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960904 Farmland, Arable Cropland and Permanent Cropland Land Management @ 10%
82 PLANT PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8298 Environmentally Sustainable Plant Production > 829802 Management of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Plant Production @ 40%
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