Orchard Floor Management Affects Tree Functionality, Productivity and Water Consumption of a Late Ripening Peach Orchard under Semi-Arid Conditions

Pasquale Losciale,Luigi Tarricone,Pasquale Campi,Luigi Manfrini,Liliana Gaeta

doi:10.3390/app10228135

Abstract

Semi-arid conditions are favorable for the cultivation of late ripening peach cultivars; however, seasonal water scarcity and reduction in soil biological fertility, heightened by improper soil management, are jeopardizing this important sector. In the present two-year study, four soil managements were compared on a late ripening peach orchard: (i) completely tilled (control); (ii) mulched with reusable reflective plastic film; (iii) mulching with a Leguminosae cover-crop flattened after peach fruit set; (iv) completely tilled, supplying the water volumes of the plastic mulched treatment, supposed to be lower than the control. Comparison was performed for soil features, water use, tree functionality, fruit growth, fruit quality, yield and water productivity. Even receiving about 50% of the regular irrigation, reusable reflective mulching reduced water loss and soil carbon over mineralization, not affecting (sometimes increasing) net carbon assimilation, yield, and fruit size and increasing water productivity. The flattening technique should be refined in the last part of the season as in hot and dry areas with clay soils and low organic matter, soil cracking increased water evaporation predisposing the orchard at water stress. The development and implementation of appropriate soil management strategies could be pivotal for making peach production economically and environmentally sustainable.

Highlights

Fruit growing is a key sector for the Mediterranean economy, society and environment
The last treatment (S) was established on tilled soil supplying the same irrigation volume of M that was supposed to be lower than the control (T) as evaporation was limited by the plastic mulching
The year 2016 showed a cumulative rainfall of 206 mm till 31 August and an additional 147 mm of rain fallen in the first fortnight of September (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Fruit growing is a key sector for the Mediterranean economy, society and environment. It is the highest value among the agricultural productions, representing 17% of the total EU agricultural turnover (FAO—Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2018). Represent one of the most typical fruit crops of the Mediterranean Basin [2], being at the basis of both its economy and dietary culture. The fruits, most of which are delivered to the fresh market, are asked to meet the consumer demand with very high-quality standards [3] as fruit consumption improves health and well-being [4].

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Conclusion