Examination of soils and crops after the inundations of 1st February, 1953. III. Sensitivity to salt of inundated fruit crops.

Abstract

Characteristic symptoms of salt water flood damage are described for apples, pears, plums, cherries, currants, gooseberry, walnuts, grapes and mulberries. In general the crops showed symptoms of drying out, indicating their inability to absorb enough water. A table of the approximate sensitivity of the fruit crops, and also of apple and pear varieties was compiled; there was a wider range of sensitivity in apples than in pears. The sensitivity of the chief Malling rootstocks did not appear to run parallel to their vigour. The salt content of the soil moisture was the limiting factor for apple and pear recovery; 7-8 g. per litre for apples, and 11-12 g. for pears were the limits beyond which trees could not be saved. Flooding had no influence on the growth condition of apples and pears until after it had lasted 8 or 9 weeks. Tree age had no clear effect on sensitivity, though apple trees of 25 years and over had less resistance. Deep cultivation before flooding, soil exhaustion, and general neglect had detrimental effects on tree resistance. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)