Kiwifruit planting requirements for soil (what soil is suitable for kiwifruit planting)

Kiwifruit growth habits

Kiwifruit can generally be grown at altitudes between 800 and 1800 meters, but is more suitable at altitudes between 1000 and 1600 meters.

Most kiwifruit species prefer semi-shady environments, prefer sunlight but are sensitive to strong light. They are medium-light-loving fruit trees, requiring 1300-2600 hours of sunshine, prefer diffuse light, and avoid strong direct light. Fruiting plants require a certain amount of light, and the natural light intensity is preferably 42% to 45%.

Kiwifruit soil requirements

1. Soil pH for kiwifruit planting

In terms of planting soil requirements, kiwi trees cannot be planted in sandy soil. The soil should be deep, fertile, and breathable, with a groundwater level below 1 meter, high in organic matter, and a slightly acidic pH value of 5.5-6.5. Strong acid or alkaline soil needs to be improved before cultivation .

After all, soil has a huge impact on crop growth. High-quality and high-yield kiwifruit planting soil has the following characteristics :

2. How thick should the soil be for growing kiwi fruit?

Deep soil conditions can effectively meet the growth needs of kiwifruit roots and facilitate the absorption of minerals in the deep soil. The temperature difference in the deep soil is small, which can prevent the roots from being affected by low and high temperature factors.

3. Soil aeration

The soil pore area accounts for about 55%, with air and water accounting for 50% each in the pores. The roots can breathe normally and the soil has sufficient water supply, which is beneficial to the growth and development of the root system and promotes plant growth.

4. Soil organic matter content

For kiwifruit to grow, develop, and produce high-quality crops, the soil needs to contain a rich content of organic matter.

Key points of soil management for kiwifruit cultivation

1. Soil improvement and deep tillage

After the young trees are planted, combine the application of basal fertilizer in autumn and dig deeper and wider the holes from the outer edge of the planting holes outwards year by year to a depth of 50 to 60 cm.

During the reclamation of mature orchards, the tree trunk is often used as the center, and the depth is controlled at 10 to 30 cm in order from shallow to deep and from inside to outside to avoid damaging the relatively thick root system.

Mix the deep-plowed soil with organic fertilizer and backfill it, put the subsoil on the upper layer and the topsoil on the bottom layer, and irrigate it sufficiently to make the roots and soil in close contact. It will take 3 to 4 years to complete the deep plowing and soil improvement in the whole garden.

2. Reasonable intercropping

In the first two years after planting, leguminous crops such as soybeans and soya beans can be interplanted between the rows. In mature orchards, plants such as clover and alfalfa can be interplanted between the rows.

Harvest 2-3 times a year, and leave a nutrient zone of about 1 m in advance during grass planting. Reasonable use of park soil and light conditions for intercropping can promote the growth of fruit trees and increase the content of soil organic matter.

(III) Tree disk management

Kiwifruit has fleshy roots that are mostly distributed in the shallow ground. They are easily exposed due to rain and irrigation.

Secondly, the exposed roots will also be affected by high temperatures, so the tree tray management should be done well to facilitate the protection and growth of the roots.

Carry out inter-cultivation after irrigation to cut off soil capillaries and maintain a reasonable soil environment; cover the tree pit with grass to inhibit weed growth and avoid soil compaction.

When the roots are exposed, the tree should be piled with soil to avoid loss of the inner surface soil and to prevent the fibrous roots from being exposed on the surface and damaged.

4. Orchard coverage

Covering the orchard with harvested grass can not only prevent soil erosion, control weed growth, increase soil nutrients but also save labor.

Covering should be done year after year, maintaining a thickness of 15-20 cm. Covering should be done for about 4 years, and the orchard should be deep-turned once. Deep-turning should be done in autumn when basal fertilizer is applied.