Author(s)

Seong-Tae Choi^*, Seong-Cheol Kim, Gwang-Hwan Ahn, Doo-Sang Park, Eun-Seok Kim

Sweet Persimmon Research Institute, Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services, Gimhae, Korea.

Decomposition and nutrient release of the residue subsequent to mowing weeds remain poorly understood in persimmon orchards of South Korea. The litterbags including various weed residues were deposited on the soil surface under the tree canopy to simulate the fate of weeds mowed on 13 May, 13 July, and 13 September 2011 and 2012. Rate of decomposition and nutrient release of the residues depended on different mowing times. Residual dry mass (DM) of the 13 May weeds decreased by 17% - 21% of initial DM during 1 month and by 63% -71% until 2 months after litterbag deposition, and they released 51% - 67% of nitrogen (N), 54% - 55% of phosphorus (P), and 92% - 94% of potassium (K) of respective initial amount until the first 2 months. The 13 July weeds rapidly decomposed during the first month, accounting for 51% - 64% of DM and released 49% - 67% of N, 27% - 54% of P, and 76% - 77% of K. When mowed on 13 September, the weed residue decomposed slower and longer than the 13 May and 13 July weeds, losing 48% - 51% of DM, 36% - 39% of N, 60% - 64% of P, and 70% -77% of K during the first 2 months but continuing an active decomposition even at 6 months after the deposition. The results indicated that time of supplemental fertilization should be adjusted depending on mowing times, and the mowing times be controlled to meet seasonal demand of persimmon trees for nutrients.

Persimmon, Mowing, Weed Decomposition, Nutrient Release, Sod Culture

Choi, S. , Kim, S. , Ahn, G. , Park, D. and Kim, E. (2017) Nutrient Release during Residue Decomposition of Weeds Mown at Different Times in a Persimmon Orchard. Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 6, 153-164. doi: 10.4236/jacen.2017.64010.