Determining the effects of mulch and flame applications on weed control and plant performance in almond cultivation

In this thesis, different mulch and flame applications were compared with conventional chemical method for the control of weeds that are a problem in the almond orchard, and the effects of these applications on tree growth and some fruit parameters were examined. For this purpose, a total of nine different applications were carried out. The applications consisted of five different mulch materials including two different colors (black and white) polyethylene nylons, black ground cover and mulch textile and almond bark, two different flame applications with 20 % and 30 % coverage threshold for the application chemical control (glyphosate) and control. The experiments were conducted in a 30 ha almond orchard located in Manavgat District of Antalya Province, according to the randomized blocks experimental design with four replications in the years 2019 and 2020. In this study, the effects of applications on weed density, coverage area, fresh and dry weights also were investigated. Furthermore, the effects of the applications on soil temperature, water potential height, stem diameter, shoot length and diameter, chlorophyll content of the almond trees. Some fruit parameters were also determined. As a result of the observations and calculations, mulch textile, ground cover and black and white polyethylene mulches completely prevented the weed emergence. Herbicide, almond bark mulch, flame-1 and flame-2 applications decreased the weed density by 86.6 %, 66.9 %, 46.2 %, 31.1 %, and reduced weed coverage by 77.6 %, 76.9 %, 69.3 %, 60.7 %, respectively, compared to the control. When the flame applications were compared among themselves, it was determined that the flame-1 application, where 20% weed coverage area is considered as a threshold, is more suitable for weed control. Flame applications have reduced the weed coverage and density of perennial species while providing full success in weed control for annual species. When the effects of applications on plant growth parameters were investigated; white polyethylene mulch had the most positive effect on plant height, shoot length and shoot diameter, white polyethylene and mulch textile had the most positive effect on stem diameter thickness. The most successful results in terms of shelled and inner fruit size were obtained from ground cover and flame-2 applications.