Straw mulch in tree fruit orchard rows may have potential to increase soil organic matter while conserving water and suppressing weeds, a soil scientist says. Oregon State University researchers have experimented with straw mulch for several years, but last year, a trial to compare different ground-cover treatments and no cover was initiated by Dr. Xinhua (Frank) Yin, a soil scientist at OSU’s Mid-Columbia Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Hood River. “Straw is very good for soil quality,” said Yin, noting that many of the Oregon soils in the Hood River and The Dalles growing region are low in organic […]