Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions
The diffusion of tree crops has continuously increased during the last decades all over the world. The market boost has favored the adoption of intensive and highly mechanized cultivation, often triggering the degradation of the soil physical-hydrological qualities, mainly through enhanced soil eros...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/1/68 |
| _version_ | 1797542876367814656 |
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| author | Simone Priori Sergio Pellegrini Nadia Vignozzi Edoardo A. C. Costantini |
| author_facet | Simone Priori Sergio Pellegrini Nadia Vignozzi Edoardo A. C. Costantini |
| author_sort | Simone Priori |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The diffusion of tree crops has continuously increased during the last decades all over the world. The market boost has favored the adoption of intensive and highly mechanized cultivation, often triggering the degradation of the soil physical-hydrological qualities, mainly through enhanced soil erosion and compaction. Several papers have been published on soil degradation and restoration strategies in specific perennial crops and environments. This review paper collects such studies showing the sensitivity of soil under tree crops to the degradation of their physical-hydrological qualities. Then it reports the state of the art on the methodologies used for the evaluation of the physical-hydrological qualities in the field and in the laboratory, also suggesting an improved methodology for estimating the actual available water capacity. Some updated and promising experiences to recover the physical-hydrological qualities of soil are then illustrated. In particular, subsoiling and placement of drainages, spreading of organic amendments, compost, biochar, using of cover crops, and biological inoculants. A key point in applying the restoration practices is that they should not only be specific for the soil and tree rooting system, but also tailored according to the ecosystem functions that need to be improved besides plant health and yield. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:36:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5631559718bd48ef9688ed8a61523760 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:36:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-5631559718bd48ef9688ed8a615237602023-11-21T07:27:17ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952020-12-011116810.3390/agronomy11010068Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and SolutionsSimone Priori0Sergio Pellegrini1Nadia Vignozzi2Edoardo A. C. Costantini3Department of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via S.C. de Lellis, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyConsiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, Via di Lanciola 12a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, ItalyConsiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente, Via di Lanciola 12a, Cascine del Riccio, 50125 Firenze, ItalyAccademia dei Georgofili, Logge degli Uffizi, 50122 Firenze, ItalyThe diffusion of tree crops has continuously increased during the last decades all over the world. The market boost has favored the adoption of intensive and highly mechanized cultivation, often triggering the degradation of the soil physical-hydrological qualities, mainly through enhanced soil erosion and compaction. Several papers have been published on soil degradation and restoration strategies in specific perennial crops and environments. This review paper collects such studies showing the sensitivity of soil under tree crops to the degradation of their physical-hydrological qualities. Then it reports the state of the art on the methodologies used for the evaluation of the physical-hydrological qualities in the field and in the laboratory, also suggesting an improved methodology for estimating the actual available water capacity. Some updated and promising experiences to recover the physical-hydrological qualities of soil are then illustrated. In particular, subsoiling and placement of drainages, spreading of organic amendments, compost, biochar, using of cover crops, and biological inoculants. A key point in applying the restoration practices is that they should not only be specific for the soil and tree rooting system, but also tailored according to the ecosystem functions that need to be improved besides plant health and yield.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/1/68structuresoil conservationerosionecosystem servicesplant available watersoil restoration |
| spellingShingle | Simone Priori Sergio Pellegrini Nadia Vignozzi Edoardo A. C. Costantini Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions Agronomy structure soil conservation erosion ecosystem services plant available water soil restoration |
| title | Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions |
| title_full | Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions |
| title_fullStr | Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions |
| title_short | Soil Physical-Hydrological Degradation in the Root-Zone of Tree Crops: Problems and Solutions |
| title_sort | soil physical hydrological degradation in the root zone of tree crops problems and solutions |
| topic | structure soil conservation erosion ecosystem services plant available water soil restoration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/11/1/68 |
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