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Cover crops in apple orchards on arsenic toxic soils

Journal Article · · Bull., Wash. Agric. Exp. Stn.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6333952

The cause of decline in growth of alfalfa cover crops in apple orchards is discussed. Lead arsenate sprays have been used extensively as the chief insecticide for codling moth control where apple growers applied an average of 6 or more cover sprays per season in heavily infested orchards. Much of this fell to the ground and accumulated in the surface soil. Ten years of spraying often resulted in the accumulation of approximately 4,500 pounds of lead arsenate per acre in the surface 6 inches of soil. The effects of lead and fluorine, as well as arsenate are presented in relation to injury to plant growth. It has been shown that legumes, especially alfalfa, have a low arsenic tolerance. Heavy applications of aluminum sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and zinc sulfate are partially effective in establishing alfalfa as a cover crop in toxic soils.

Research Organization:
Tree Fruit Experiment Station, Wenatchee, WA
OSTI ID:
6333952
Journal Information:
Bull., Wash. Agric. Exp. Stn.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull., Wash. Agric. Exp. Stn.; (United States) Vol. 514; ISSN WUIBA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English