Root distribution and demography in an avocado (Persea americana) orchard under groundcover management systems.

The effect of groundcover management systems on root demography and distribution of newly planted avocado (Persea americana Mill) trees was examined using minirhizotron techniques. We evaluated three groundcover systems: (1) bare soil (BS), pre- and post-emergence herbicides; (2) vegetation strip (VS), post-emergence herbicide applied in a 1-m wide strip centred on the tree row plus a groundcover mixture seeded between tree rows; and (3) complete groundcover (GC), covering the entire surface of the plots. Root production was higher in the non-bearing year (2009-10) than in the bearing year (2010-11).