Influences of soil ameliorative plant species on organic edible rose culture

An important alternative method to increase the soil fertility and biological activity is the use of ameliorative plant species, especially before planting an organic perennial crop. In the first stage of establishing an organic edible rose culture, three ameliorative plant species were used: Sinapis alba L., Tagetes patula L. and Phacelia tanacetifolia L., with a role in soil disinfection. Plants were seeded in seven different combinations (V1-V7) and a control plot was kept without seeding (V8). After flowering and seed formation, the mature plants were trimmed and incorporated into the soil. After the organic roses planting, the same variants were seeded between the rose rows. The results showed an improvement of the soil microbiological activity and stimulation of the roses' vegetative growth and flowering, indicated by the shoot lenght and the number of flowering sprouts. The agrochemical analysis indicated an increase of the soil organic matter content, potassium and pH value.