Effects of Interplanting cocksfoot and white clover as cover crops on the microclimate of apple orchard

The effects of interplanting Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens as cover crops on the microclimate of apple orchard were studied. The results showed that the interplanting orchard grasses, compared with clean tillage, could improve the ground temperature, air temperature and air relative humidity in the apple orchard, especially, could decrease the ground and air temperature on the hot summer, keep the ground temperature in the cold winter and endautumn. And because the soil surface was covered with the grasses, the soil waterholding capacity and the soil organic matter could be increased, and the soil physical and chemical properties were improved as well. Therefore, a better suitable environment could be provided for the apple trees.