Evaluation of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) as living mulch for ecological weed control in citrus orchards

Abstract

Weeds are one of the most important problems in newly established orchards. Especially in organic 
orcharding, the importance of weed management is much more than conventional orcharding. Therefore, 
importance of alternative methods to chemical control of weeds is increasing. This study was conducted to 
quantify the effects of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) as living mulch on weeds and evaluate the availability 
of common vetch in organic citrus production. The study was carried out in Mandarin orchard which was 
established specially for this research in research and implementation area of the Plant Protection 
Department of Çukurova University in Turkey, in a three- year-period. Living mulch and control plots were 
placed between rows in newly established mandarin orchard and plots were maintained at the same 
locations until the end of the experiment. In this study, effects of the living mulch application on density, 
cover proportion, biomass, dry weight and similarity index of weed species were investigated. Overall three
years results of the study were evaluated, living mulch application reduced weed density and cover 
proportion average of 42.8% and 45.9% respectively compare to control. Biomass and dry weight of weeds 
were also reduced by living mulch in all years of the experiment. The results indicate that living mulch 
application by common vetch is an important alternative weed suppression method for ecological weed 
management.