Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean
In order to evaluate the potential of climate change mitigation measures on soil physiochemical properties, an experiment based on the application of five agroecological practices such as the addition of composted olive-mill wastes, recycling pruning residue, cover crops, organic insect manure, and...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/6/900 |
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| author | Oumaima Hrameche Safiye Tul Ioanna Manolikaki Nektaria Digalaki Ioanna Kaltsa Georgios Psarras Georgios Koubouris |
| author_facet | Oumaima Hrameche Safiye Tul Ioanna Manolikaki Nektaria Digalaki Ioanna Kaltsa Georgios Psarras Georgios Koubouris |
| author_sort | Oumaima Hrameche |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In order to evaluate the potential of climate change mitigation measures on soil physiochemical properties, an experiment based on the application of five agroecological practices such as the addition of composted olive-mill wastes, recycling pruning residue, cover crops, organic insect manure, and reduced soil tillage, solely or combined, was conducted over two years (2020 to 2022) in a 48-year-old olive plantation. The results showed significant increases in soil water content during the spring and summer periods for the combined treatment (compost + pruning residue + cover crops) (ALL) compared to the control (CONT) by 41.6% and 51.3%, respectively. Also, ALL expressed the highest soil organic matter (4.33%) compared to CONT (1.65%) at 0–10 cm soil depth. When comparing soil nutrient contents, ALL (37.86 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) and cover crops (COVER) (37.21 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) had significant increases in soil nitrate compared to CONT (22.90 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>), the lowest one. Concerning exchangeable potassium, ALL (169.7 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) and compost (COMP) (168.7 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) were higher than CONT (117.93 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) at the 0–10 cm soil depth and had, respectively an increase of 100.9% and 60.7% in calcium content compared to CONT. Over the experimental period, the implementation of the five agroecological management practices resulted in enhanced soil fertility. In a long-term Mediterranean context, this study suggests that these sustainable practices would significantly benefit farmers by improving agroecosystem services, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, optimizing irrigation water use, and ultimately contributing towards a circular economy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:54:06Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:54:06Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-bb2e4c3b9f7c42799b33b47ceac6eda52024-03-27T14:01:00ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472024-03-0113690010.3390/plants13060900Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the MediterraneanOumaima Hrameche0Safiye Tul1Ioanna Manolikaki2Nektaria Digalaki3Ioanna Kaltsa4Georgios Psarras5Georgios Koubouris6Hellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organization ELGO-DIMITRA, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops and Viticulture, Leoforos Karamanli 167, GR-73100 Chania, GreeceIn order to evaluate the potential of climate change mitigation measures on soil physiochemical properties, an experiment based on the application of five agroecological practices such as the addition of composted olive-mill wastes, recycling pruning residue, cover crops, organic insect manure, and reduced soil tillage, solely or combined, was conducted over two years (2020 to 2022) in a 48-year-old olive plantation. The results showed significant increases in soil water content during the spring and summer periods for the combined treatment (compost + pruning residue + cover crops) (ALL) compared to the control (CONT) by 41.6% and 51.3%, respectively. Also, ALL expressed the highest soil organic matter (4.33%) compared to CONT (1.65%) at 0–10 cm soil depth. When comparing soil nutrient contents, ALL (37.86 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) and cover crops (COVER) (37.21 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) had significant increases in soil nitrate compared to CONT (22.90 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>), the lowest one. Concerning exchangeable potassium, ALL (169.7 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) and compost (COMP) (168.7 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) were higher than CONT (117.93 mg kg<sup>−1</sup>) at the 0–10 cm soil depth and had, respectively an increase of 100.9% and 60.7% in calcium content compared to CONT. Over the experimental period, the implementation of the five agroecological management practices resulted in enhanced soil fertility. In a long-term Mediterranean context, this study suggests that these sustainable practices would significantly benefit farmers by improving agroecosystem services, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, optimizing irrigation water use, and ultimately contributing towards a circular economy.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/6/900agroecologycarbon farmingcircular economyclimate change mitigationcompostcover crops |
| spellingShingle | Oumaima Hrameche Safiye Tul Ioanna Manolikaki Nektaria Digalaki Ioanna Kaltsa Georgios Psarras Georgios Koubouris Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean Plants agroecology carbon farming circular economy climate change mitigation compost cover crops |
| title | Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean |
| title_full | Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean |
| title_short | Optimizing Agroecological Measures for Climate-Resilient Olive Farming in the Mediterranean |
| title_sort | optimizing agroecological measures for climate resilient olive farming in the mediterranean |
| topic | agroecology carbon farming circular economy climate change mitigation compost cover crops |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/6/900 |
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