The effect of preplanting soil preparation and soil management on soil physical parameters in an apple orchard

Abstract. Effects on soil physical properties in a trial which compared establishing an apple orchard on grassed and cultivated soil and of maintaining soil with or without a vegetative cover post-planting are discussed. On a fine sandy loam soil (Fyfield series) prone to erosion, bulk density, water filled porosity and soil erosion, measured at intervals after the establishment year, were all unaffected by the use of grass. Infiltration rate was much higher on grassed than on herbicide treated soil as was the apparent ability to accept heavy rainfall.