Abstract
In satsuma mandarin cultivation, drip irrigation and liquid fertilization system with year-round plastic mulching (DLYM) contributes to high quality and stable fruit production with labor saving for grower. Here we report the influence of such novel cultivation method which is different from the conventional method greatly on satsuma mandarin roots. In satsuma mandarin trees cultivated by DLYM for 3 years, white fibrous roots grew just under the dripping orifice. The diameter of fibrous roots grown just under the dripping orifice was thinner than that grown apart from the dripping orifice in DLYM and that grown by conventional method. The respiratory activity of fibrous roots grown just under the dripping orifice was apparently active compared with that grown by conventional method. Furthermore, the fibrous roots grown apart from the dripping orifice in DLYM had also higher respiratory activity. These results suggested that the root zone cultivated by DLYM is better in its morphology and activity than that by conventional method, DLYM would contribute to the maintenance of tree vigor and the stable fruit production in satsuma mandarin.
