Improving Ecological Functions and Ornamental Values of Traditional Pear Orchard by Co-Planting of Green Manures of Astragalus sinicus L. and Lathyrus cicera L.

Abstract

Traditional orchards received little attention in ecology. In order to enhance the ecological function of traditional pear orchard, it is an effective strategy to co-plant the ornamental green manure (GM) under the pear forest. In this study, two kinds of GM, i.e., Astragalus sinicus L. (AS) and Lathyrus cicera L. (LC), were co-planted in pear tree orchard to elevate its landscape benefits of spatiotemporal distribution of flowers, the nutrient benefits and oxygen production. The results showed that the flower height of AS and LC arrange between 20~30 cm, and the flowering period covers the March. LC has a large number of flowers, a small area of single flower, and high yield of fresh grass. AS has a small number of flowers, a large area of single flower, and low yield of a single fresh grass. Among them, 35% AS + 65% LC and 50% AS + 50% LC are more suitable in achieving the well tourism value and potential good production of pear orchard. Nutrient accumulation, total carbon fixation and oxygen production, flower number of 35% AS + 65% LC are larger than other treatments, while the flower period of 50% AS + 50% LC is longest. This study proposed a “win-win” GM planting strategy for sustainable orchard development, by enhancing ecology functions and the landscaped value of the traditional fruit orchard.