Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/657340
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower APRIL 1, 2016 19 healthy absorptive roots. Watering is usually a good idea, except when too much is applied. "Too much water and too much nitrogen brings on more leaves and less fruit," Eissenstat said. The rhizosphere, the soil located near the root struc- ture, is much richer in nutrients consumed by microbes than bulk soil, areas located well away from roots. Some 30 to 40 percent of soil organic matter comes from plant roots. One way to improve soil conditions may be through the use of organic mulches, Eissenstat said. He favors the use of compost, green manure and other biological waste materials to enhance microbial activity. Planting cover crops under grapevines and some kinds of fruit trees can also be a good idea for the same reason, but the practice needs to be balanced by limiting competition. Well-drained soils can also improve populations of mycorrhizal fungi. Soil stress can affect roots in two ways depending on the magnitude of the stress: It can cause plants to put out more roots or to cease their production altogether. Growers should be careful not to apply too much nitrogen in the summer, Eissenstat said. Phosphorus is another double-edged fertilizer — too much phosphorus leads to less abundant mycorrhizae. In addition, broad spectrum insecticide application can cause roots to live longer, but the long-lasting effects of this treatment are unknown, he said. More research is needed to determine "detailed pre- scriptions" to improve the rhizosphere. "We know tillage is detrimental because it reduces the interaction between beneficial and nonbeneficial microbes," Eissenstat said. He also thinks root pruning is an "iffy" practice. "You can open roots to diseases that way," he said. "The machinery used to transport the equipment can cause soil compaction." • TJ Mullinax/Good FruiT Grower Young trees without fruit have more root growth than older fruit-bearing trees. © 2016, Trécé Inc., Adair, OK USA • TRECE, PHEROCON and CIDETRAK are registered trademarks of Trece, Inc., Adair, OK USA PLEASE: ALWAYS READ THE LABEL The Mating Disruption System for both MALE… and FEMALE Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella INSEC T PHEROMONE & KAIROMONE SYSTEMS INCORPORATED ® Your Edge – And Ours – Is Knowledge. Contact your local supplier and order now. Visit our website: www.trece.com or call 1- 866 -785-1313. CIDETRAK ® CMDA COMBO ™ MESO ™ mating disruption dispensers contain a unique combination of Codling Moth pheromone AND a patented male AND female behavior modifying kairomone called DA. Designed to deliver long-lasting performance with remarkably fast application for apples and pears. CIDETRAK ® CMDA COMBO ™ MESO ™ dispenser in use • What it does: The DA kairomone enhances the effect of the Codling Moth pheromone on male mating disruption. And, initiates female mating disruption through behavior changes in the female resulting in oviposition disruption, less mating, higher virginity and lower damage. • How to use it: Fast hanging design, clips easily and securely onto branches, and eliminates lateral branch scarring. • Longevity: Long-lasting performance. TRE-0869, 2/16