Soil Management

Soil is the ‘home’ of plant roots, so growers must make it suitable for the life of hypogeal organs. This is the fundamental of soil management, especially for olive orchards, the roots of which live in the same soil, whether for a few decades or many centuries. Nevertheless, other reasons should be considered in a sustainable agriculture scenario. First of all, sustainable use of soil starts from soil conservation. Soil is a non-renewable natural resource, and as such it must be protected from erosion, contamination and other forms of degradation. Moreover, as soil management infuences strongly all physical, chemical and biological processes, it is linked with water storage and dry-farming measures, frost-damage prevention, enhancement of on-farm biodiversity, carbon storage/climate-change mitigation and, not least, access to improved olive yield and, in general, to food security. Good soil management practices are needed to improve olive growth and productivity by providing adequate nutrients and water to the trees. The soil has to maintain a good structure, ensuring adequate root growth and activity.