Organic fertilization and soil management can interfere directly on yield and growth of apple trees, especially in shallow soils. This study evaluates the influence of poultry litter rates and methods of weed control on yield and growth of apple trees. The experiment was carried out on an Inceptisol, cultivated with apple for 13 years, cv. Fuji on rootstock Marubakaido, located in São Joaquim, SC. Since 1998, two methods of weed control were used, one with herbicide and other with mowing both associated with four poultry litter rates (0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha-1) applied annually to soil. The experimental design was complete randomized blocks, with split-plot arrangement and four replications. The yield of apple trees was increased by addition of poultry litter and it was dependent on the method of weed control. Regarding the mowing method, it was necessary to apply a higher rate of organic fertilizer to achieve the same yield observed for the herbicide method. The application of litter poultry promoted the recovery of plant growth and in a more efficient way when herbicide was used as weed control.
poultry litter; apple; mowing; herbicide; cover plants; Inceptisol
