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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Olive cultivation is considered as one of the most significant agricultural activities in Mediterranean region, from a financial, social and ecological point of view. Under climate change threats, there is a growing need to adapt the conventional agronomic practices used in rainfed olive orchards by sustainable practices, in order to preserve soil health, while ensure olive tree performance and olive oil quality. During three years, the effects of leguminous cover crops (LC) and its combination with zeolites (ZL) were evaluated on soil properties, olive tree physiological performance, yield, composition and quality of olive fruits and oil, and compared with soil tillage (T). Results show that both LC and ZL strategies were able to improve photosynthetic performance and crop yield, relatively to T. However, ZL strategy was clearly more efficient in improving soil quality, through decreasing acidity, improving soil N, P and B availability, CEC and soil microbiology. Considering the effects of these practices on olive fruit and oil composition, ZL increased the oleic/linoleic ratio on fruits, and the levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, tyrosol, verbascoside and caffeic acid on olive oil. In short, both sustainable soil management strategies appear to be promising practices to implement in olive orchards under rainfed conditions, but the innovative strategy of combining zeolites with legumes cover crops confer advantages from a nutritional and technological point of view, while preserving soil quality. Nevertheless, studies subjected to long-term use of these practices should be experienced to ensure the sustainability of crop yield and olive oil quality
Description
Keywords
Olive Research Subject Categories::FORESTRY, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES and LANDSCAPE PLANNING::Soil science
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Martins, Sandra; Silva, Ermelinda; Brito, Cátia; Pinto, Luís; Martins-Gomes, Carlos; Gonçalves, Alexandre; Arrobas, Margarida; Rodrigues, M.A.; Correia, Carlos M. (2022). Improving the sustainability of rainfed olive orchards by using zeolites and early-maturing annual legumes cover crop. In Marta Laranjo; Ana Alexandre; Bruno Medronho; Cláudia Marques (Eds.). VII PhD Students Meeting in Environment and Agriculture. Évora
Publisher
Universidade de Évora