본 실험은 비료 공급원으로서 1) 대조구(NF), 2) 상업용 유기질 비료($10N-2P_2O_5-8K_2O$, Nature Safe$^{(R)}$)(CF), 3) 계분 비료(PL)를 포함하였고, 멀칭 공급원으로는 4) 나무껍질 멀칭(WC), 5) 재활용 종이 멀칭(SP), 6) 식물성 퇴비 멀칭(GC), 7) 초생멀칭(GR)을 포함하였다. 유기질 비료와 멀칭의 양은 매해 유기농 사과나무 포장에 시비하였던 (50 g 질소/한 나무, 10 cm 멀칭시용/한 나무) 질소량과 체적에 각각 비례해서 각 포트에 시비하였다. CF, PL, 그리고 GR 급원은 미생물이 유기태 질소를 무기화(N-mineralization) 하는데 이상적인 탄소:질소(30:1이하)비를 보였는데, 처리 후 90일 째 되던 날에 토양중 무기태 질소 농도를 증가시켰다. CF, PL, 그리고 GR 처리된 유묘는 가장 넓은 총 엽면적과 두꺼운 직경, 그리고 큰 수고 및 건물중을 나타내어서 식물생장을 증가시키기 위한 가장 유용한 자재로 평가되었다.
BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the fertilizer sources and ground cover mulches on nutrient release, growth, and photosynthesis in small one-year-old apple (Malus ${ imes}$ domestica Borkh.) trees in controlled conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Treatments included no fertilizer (NF), commercial organic fertilizer (CF), and poultry litter (PL) for fertilizer treatments, and wood chips (WC), shredded paper (SP), green compost (GC), and grass clippings (GR) for cover mulch treatments. All treatments were applied proportionally based on the volume ratio equivalent to the soil. CF, PL, and GR treatments that had optimum carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) ratios (less than 30:1) for N mineralization through the microbes released the greatest $NH_4^+$ concentrations in the pot media at 90 days after the treatments, but GC mulch with the optimum C:N ratio did not. CF-, PL- and GR-treated plants had the largest leaf area, thickest stem diameter, longest shoot extension, and greater dry matter production. CONCLUSION(s): CF and PL showed an suitable organic nutrient source for improving plant growth in an orchard. Interestingly, GR also could be a nutrient source for tree growth, if vegetation competition is controlled by maintaining vegetation height and recycling enough grass clippings to the soil in an orchard.
