The establishment of living mulches in organic orchards could potentially improve the orchard biodiversity and, when specific plant species are selected, provide additional eco-services and functions, including adequate weed management. This study was conducted in an organically managed apple orchard in Skierniewice (Poland) to assess the effect of two selected living mulching species: Alchemilla vulgaris and Mentha piperita. They were assessed on weed control, weed biodiversity, tree nutritional status, root dry weight density (RDWD), and other root morphological traits compared to a natural soil cover (control). Overall, both living mulches produced 42.5% more dry biomass, increased weed species number (+29%), and increased soil coverage (+33%) compared to control mowed plots. The apple leaf chlorophyll index and nutrient content were higher in the presence of both living mulches than in the control. In addition, apple trees had 30–46% higher root dry weight densities, even though other root morphological traits were not affected by the treatments. The results suggested that the tree row can be managed with living mulches of herbs; these species have the potential to provide an additional income to the farmer, as well as beneficial effects for the orchard biodiversity, without impairing the tree root development and nutrient status.

A trial assessing the suitability of multifunctional living mulch to maintain the soil and reduce weed infestation was carried out in an organic apple orchard in the years of 2019-2020. Perennial plants (Alchemilla vulgaris, Fragaria vesca, Mentha piperita) and annual crops (Tropaeolum majus and Cucurbita maxima) were grown in the in the rows of the apple trees. The weeds number and soil weeds coverage in tree rows were assessed. Regardless of the living mulch species utilized, the soil resulted to be mostly covered by perennial weed species such as: Equisetum arvense and Taraxacum officinale and annual species such as: Lamium purpureum, Stellaria media, Galinsoga parviflora, Capsella bursa-pastoris and Poa annua, which were the most common species also for the natural cover used as control. However, all living mulch species limited weed infestation and M. piperita, F. vesca and T. majus most strongly limited weeds growth. It is concluded that living mulch species can be a feasible practice to manage the soil on the tree rows in organic orchards.

The studies were conducted from 2012 to 2015 at the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice, Poland. The aim of the research was to determine the yield of Chinese cabbage, its storage ability and nutritional value, depending on weed management methods used during cultivation. In the field experiments the following methods were compared: mechanical treatments, mechanical treatments + growth stimulators, soil mulching with black polypropylene, black polyethylene and biodegradable foil and hand weeding. After harvest the Chinese cabbage was stored at 0-2°C for 125-126 days depending on the year and after storage marketable and rotten heads were sorted. The percent of yellowed, rotten leaves in the total mass of the stored heads was also determined, as well as the natural weight loss. The chemical composition of Chinese cabbage was analyzed after harvest and after storage. The analyses included: dry matter, total sugars, vitamin C and soluble phenol content. After harvest the highest yield of Chinese cabbage grown in black polyethylene mulch was obtained. After storage the highest yield of marketable heads from cabbage mechanically weeded with additional application of biostimulator AlfaMax during cultivation was obtained. Chemical analyses showed that after harvest the highest dry matter, total sugars and vitamin C content were found in Chinese cabbage mechanically weeded and soluble phenols were the highest in non-weeded Chinese cabbage. After storage the highest content of dry matter was recorded in non-weeded Chinese cabbage, while total sugars were the highest in cabbage mulched with black polyethylene and biodegradable foil. Vitamin C was the highest in mechanically weeded and soluble phenols were the highest in hand-weeded cabbage.

The studies were conducted in 2010–2011 at the Research Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of separate and combined application of biostimulants Asahi SL and AlfaMax, adjuvants Olbras 88 EC and Protector on efficacy of metribuzin and linuron and the growth and yield of carrot. Herbicides were used with split-application method. First treatment with metribuzin and linuron was applied at 1 leaf stage of carrot, the second treatment of linuron was performed 10–14 days after the first one, and metribuzin was applied at 2–3 leaves stage of carrot. Asahi SL, AlfaMax, Olbras 88 EC and Protector were applied in mixture with herbicides or separate – 1 day before or 1 day after herbicide treatment. The weed control, number and biomass of weeds, phytotoxicity of tested herbicides and the yield of carrot roots were determined during the experiments. Better weed control was achieved with metribuzin than linuron and the addition of biostimulants and adjuvants did not affect its effectiveness. The addition of adjuvants increased the efficacy of linuron. Applied substances did not increase the phytotoxicity of herbicides to carrot plants. The highest yield was obtained by using a mixture of metribuzin with Asahi SL and Protector at 1 day before metribuzin application. W latach 2010–2011, w Instytucie Ogrodnictwa prowadzono badania nad określeniem wpływu rozdzielnego i łącznego stosowania biostymulatorów Asahi SL i AlfaMax oraz adiuwantów Olbras 88 EC i Protector na skuteczność działania metrybuzyny i linuronu oraz wzrost i plonowanie marchwi. Herbicydy stosowano metodą dawek dzielonych. Pierwszy zabieg metrybuzyną i linuronem wykonywano w fazie 1 liścia właściwego marchwi, drugi zabieg linuronem po 10–14 dniach od pierwszego, a metrybuzyną w fazie 2–3 liści marchwi. Asahi SL, AlfaMax oraz Olbras 88 EC i Protector stosowano łącznie z herbicydami lub w zabiegach rozdzielnych – 1 dzień przed lub 1 dzień po zabiegu herbicydem. Przeprowadzano obserwacje stopnia zniszczenia chwastów, określano ich liczbę i świeżą masę, stopień fitotoksyczności badanych środków dla marchwi i wysokość plonów. Stwierdzono lepsze działanie chwastobójcze metrybuzyny stosowanej metodą dawek dzielonych niż linuronu, a biostymulatory i adiuwanty nie wpływały na jej skuteczność. Dodatek adiuwantów zwiększył skuteczność działania linuronu. Stosowane substancje nie powodowały wzrostu fitotoksyczności badanych herbicydów dla marchwi. Najwyższy plon uzyskano stosując mieszaninę metrybuzyny z Asahi SL oraz Protector na jeden dzień przed zastosowaniem metrybuzyny.

In the pot experiments conducted in the greenhouse and in the open, in the years 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2019-2020 in Skierniewice in Poland was found that Phelipanche ramosa L. Pomel (branched broomrape) can parasite on the roots of Galinsoga parviflora Cav. (gallant soldier) and was also confirmed its ability to parasite some vegetable crops such as Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. subsp. pekinensis (Lour.) Hanelt.) and the crops from Apiaceae family: carrot (Daucus carota L. subsp. sativus (Hoff.)), celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum (Mill)) and parsley (Petroselinum sativum (Mill) Fuss.). G. parviflora is a segetal weed that commonly infests crops in many countries, including Poland. It was found that Chinese cabbage is a better host for P. ramosa than G. parviflora but the possibility of parasitizing G. parviflora by P. ramosa is new information and it may be a new way to spread this parasite into new areas.