Abstract
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.
Highlights
We report some updated and promising experiences to recover the physical-hydrological functions of the soil
Several kinds of cropland are affected by soil degradation, but tree crops may show more than annual herbaceous crops the effects of soil physical-hydrological deterioration, because of their deeper and wider rooting system, the longer life cycle, and the limited subsoiling agrotechniques that can be applied
Preliminary studies on physical-hydrological features of the whole soil profile and their spatial variability within field are needed to correctly plan the soil and land preparation before tree plantation. Such approach allows to minimize most of the troubles recurring in the tree crops, namely waterlogging, crusting, erosion, compaction, loss of organic matter and biological activity
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The strong soil aeration due to the deep tillage and topsoil preparation for tree planting implies a strong organic matter mineralization and a consequent soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion [8,12] This is evident when the new tree crop plantations involve deforestation or removal of semi-natural grassland and pastures, where the SOM reduction can exceed 30% [13,14]. Specific characteristics of the root system of tree crops are the wider and deeper extension, as well as a longer life span respect to herbaceous crops This implicates that deep soil horizons conditions play a much more important role in tree crops. A set of mechanical, agronomical, and biological solutions are discussed, aimed at improving the soil profile in depth and restoring the functionality of the root system of tree crops
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