Year 2019, Volume 4, Issue 1
| Year : | 2019 |
| Volume : | 4 |
| Issue : | 1 |
| Authors : | Miguel A. REPULLO-RUIBÉRRIZ DE TORRES, Rafaela ORDÓÑEZ-FERNÁNDEZ, Manuel MORENO-GARCÍA, Javier MÁRQUEZ-GARCÍA, Rosa CARBONELL-BOJOLLO |
| Title : | SOIL NITRATE AND ORGANIC CARBON IMPROVEMENT BY USE OF LEGUMINOUS PLANTS AS COVER CROPS IN AN ORGANIC OLIVE ORCHARD |
| Abstract : | The organic olive orchard represents about 0.5 Mio ha in EU and 36% are located in Spain. This production system implies an economic opportunity for rural areas. The use of cover crops between the rows of olive trees is an agricultural practice that farmers are progressively adopting since they reduce soil erosion while improve soil quality. Due to an usual fertilisation strategy in organic farming is the use of leguminous plants, three legumes (Vicia sativa, Vicia ervilia and Vicia villosa) used as cover crops were compared to study their capacity to protect the soil and improve soil fertility during 4 years. Two soil managements were considered after mowing cover crops: plant residues left on surface or incorporated into the soil. Soil nitrate and coverage were monitored monthly and soil organic carbon (SOC) was analysed at the end of every growing season. Despite not being the best species to protect the soil, the coverage at the end of decomposition period increased by 32% in 4 years in the management without incorporation, providing values over 30% of cover. The soil nitrate recorded in May, when the demand for N by the olive tree is greater, increased in the study period by 70% with the residues left on surface and by 50% when the residues were buried. A carbon sequestration rate of 1.08 Mg C ha-1 y-1 was reached by V. villosa without incorporation. Where residues were incorporated, V. sativa obtained the highest carbon fixation with 1.21 Mg C ha-1 y-1. |
| For citation : | Repullo-Ruibérriz De Torres, M. A., Ordóñez-Fernández, R., Moreno-García, M., Márquez-García, J., Carbonell-Bojollo, R. (2019). Soil nitrate and organic carbon improvement by use of leguminous plants as cover crops in an organic olive orchard. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 4. Issue No. 1. pp. 41-49. DOI: 10.7251/ AGRENG1901041R |
| Keywords : | Soil protection, soil nitrogen fixation, carbon sequestration, mulching |
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ISSN 2490-3434 (Printed)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
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