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The Use of Pruning Residue Mulch and Spontaneous Groundcovers to Control Erosion and Carbon Loss in Olive Orchards

Author

Listed:
  • Miguel A. Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres

    (European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF), 1040 Brussels, Belgium
    Higher Technical School of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering (ETSIAM), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Francisco Pérez-Serrano

    (Area of Agroforestry Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, University of Seville, Ctra. de Utrera, Km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Manuel Moreno-García

    (Natural Resources and Forestry Area, Andalusian Institute for Research and Training in Agriculture and Fishing (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo Centre, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Rosa M. Carbonell-Bojollo

    (Natural Resources and Forestry Area, Andalusian Institute for Research and Training in Agriculture and Fishing (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo Centre, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández

    (Natural Resources and Forestry Area, Andalusian Institute for Research and Training in Agriculture and Fishing (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo Centre, 14004 Córdoba, Spain)

  • Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana

    (Area of Agroforestry Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, University of Seville, Ctra. de Utrera, Km. 1, 41013 Seville, Spain)

Abstract

Many olive orchards are rainfed and located on poor and sloping soil. Tillage is the most common soil management system, leaving the soil vulnerable to erosion. Pruning is a frequently used field operation in olive orchards that generates biomass; thus, pruning residue can be shredded and used as mulch to cover and nourish the soil. Several strategies using pruning residue mulch and spontaneous groundcovers were established to study their effect on controlling runoff, erosion and soil organic carbon (SOC) loss under simulated rainfall. The simulation trials were conducted under two different intensity rainfalls: high-intensity rainfall and medium-intensity rainfall, which averaged 36.8 and 16.4 mm/h, respectively. A tillage system was compared to spontaneous vegetation using two doses of pruning residue mulch, 10 and 30 t/ha, and a mixture of 10 t/ha of pruning residue applied on spontaneous vegetation. Runoff was reduced to a higher degree with spontaneous groundcovers as infiltration was favoured. Soil loss was reduced by more than 95% and SOC loss by more than 85% regarding tillage with any type of groundcover for both rainfall intensities. Spontaneous vegetation with a pruning residue mulch system kept the soil protected to a greater degree against erosive processes, making the system more sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel A. Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres & Francisco Pérez-Serrano & Manuel Moreno-García & Rosa M. Carbonell-Bojollo & Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández & Antonio Rodríguez-Lizana, 2025. "The Use of Pruning Residue Mulch and Spontaneous Groundcovers to Control Erosion and Carbon Loss in Olive Orchards," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:7:p:677-:d:1618179
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. T. Cai & C. Zhang & Y. Huang & H. Huang & B. Yang & Z. Zhao & J. Zhang & Z. Jia, 2015. "Effects of different straw mulch modes on soil water storage and water use efficiency of spring maize (Zea mays L.) in the Loess Plateau of China," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 61(6), pages 253-259.
    2. Miguel A. Repullo-Ruibérriz de Torres & Óscar Veroz-González & Francisco Sánchez-Ruiz & Manuel Moreno-García & Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández & Emilio J. González-Sánchez & Rosa M. Carbonell-Bojollo, 2024. "Carbon Sequestration Through Groundcovers and Pruning Residues in Sustainable Olive Orchards Under Different Edaphoclimatic Conditions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Blanca Sastre & Omar Antón-Iruela & Ana Moreno-Delafuente & Mariela J. Navas & Maria Jose Marques & Javier González-Canales & Juan Pedro Martín-Sanz & Rubén Ramos & Andrés García-Díaz & Ramón Bienes, 2024. "Groundcovers Improve Soil Properties in Woody Crops Under Semiarid Climate," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-21, December.
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