A bed system used in citrus groves is still under research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. But one researcher is already convinced that the system, which includes fabric mulch, is beneficial for growers.
“This system is better for them. It’s already being used in Texas. Some growers have started applying it in Georgia, but they’re using plastic mulch. I think that will not last because in plastic mulch some weeds can easily come out, like nutsedge. Fabric mulch is better,” said Muhammad Shahid, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticulture.
He discussed the bed system and its benefits during the Cold-Hardy Citrus Field Day and Workshop held recently at the NFREC.
The system offers numerous advantages for growers. It suppresses weed growth, which leads to a reduction in herbicide use. Since the fabric is good for four to five years, growers don’t have to worry about weed pressure since weeds can’t penetrate the fabric.
Shahid said that in addition to herbicide savings, other benefits of the bed system include vigorous tree growth, water savings and increased water- and nutrient-use efficiency. The bedding system also offers an extra layer of insulation to protect young trees during a freeze event. Growers who utilize water as a source of freeze protection can cut back since the trees are already protected.
Another advantage is that growers do not have to worry about losing fertilizer applications in a bed system. They can deposit the fertilizer on the fabric, and it will leach down into the tree’s roots.
“It’s not something where you need to make a hole. You just put it on the fabric,” Shahid said.
He emphasized that the initial investment is not overly expensive, especially when considering the long-term benefits of the system.
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