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Insights into the Belowground Biodiversity and Soil Nutrient Status of an Organic Apple Orchard as Affected by Living Mulches

Author

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  • Ewa M. Furmanczyk

    (Department of Plant Protection, The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland)

  • Eligio Malusà

    (Department of Plant Protection, The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland)

  • Dawid Kozacki

    (Department of Plant Protection, The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland)

  • Malgorzata Tartanus

    (Department of Plant Protection, The National Institute of Horticultural Research, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland)

Abstract

The impact of living mulches established with three officinal plants ( Alchemilla vulgaris , Fragaria vesca and Mentha x piperita ) on the soil bacterial microbiome and activity, the nematodes population, and the nutrient status of an organic apple orchard was assessed. The composition and diversity of the bacterial communities were differentially modified by living mulches. The activity of the bacterial microbiome associated with F. vesca was higher and utilized more C sources in comparison to other treatments. The combined analysis of the core bacterial microbiome and metabolic activity pointed to a potential effect of F. vesca on different levels of the soil’s trophic network. The living mulches did not affect the overall number of nematodes, but in some cases, they modified the structure of the population: F. vesca induced the highest share of bacteria feeders and the lowest number of herbivores and fungal feeders. The living mulches modified the availability of some nutrients and the pH. Multivariate analysis of the whole dataset showed several potential inter-dependencies between the assessed parameters that are worthy of further study. In conclusion, the introduction of multifunctional living mulches based on officinal plants induced changes to the soil’s genetic and functional biodiversity and chemical properties. These modifications could deliver ecosystem services particularly relevant to organic apple orchards.

Suggested Citation

  • Ewa M. Furmanczyk & Eligio Malusà & Dawid Kozacki & Malgorzata Tartanus, 2024. "Insights into the Belowground Biodiversity and Soil Nutrient Status of an Organic Apple Orchard as Affected by Living Mulches," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:2:p:293-:d:1337384
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sandifer, Paul A. & Sutton-Grier, Ariana E. & Ward, Bethney P., 2015. "Exploring connections among nature, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health and well-being: Opportunities to enhance health and biodiversity conservation," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 12(C), pages 1-15.
    2. Ian J. Wright & Peter B. Reich & Mark Westoby & David D. Ackerly & Zdravko Baruch & Frans Bongers & Jeannine Cavender-Bares & Terry Chapin & Johannes H. C. Cornelissen & Matthias Diemer & Jaume Flexas, 2004. "The worldwide leaf economics spectrum," Nature, Nature, vol. 428(6985), pages 821-827, April.
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    1. Maria Licznar-Małańczuk, 2025. "Impact of High Nitrogen Doses and Living Mulch on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Young Apple Trees (cv. ‘Sampion’)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, March.

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