Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils
Abstract The viability of modern horticulture heavily relies on adopting sustainable practices. Understanding soil spatial variability on heavy clay soils and its impact on young trees is crucial to design suitable soil and water management strategies that guarantee the sustainability of orchards. T...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20572 |
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| author | Carlos Ballester Rodrigo Filev‐Maia John Hornbuckle |
| author_facet | Carlos Ballester Rodrigo Filev‐Maia John Hornbuckle |
| author_sort | Carlos Ballester |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The viability of modern horticulture heavily relies on adopting sustainable practices. Understanding soil spatial variability on heavy clay soils and its impact on young trees is crucial to design suitable soil and water management strategies that guarantee the sustainability of orchards. The objective of this study was to assess in an orchard with heavy clay soils of the Riverine Plain, NSW, the impact of soil spatial variability on the development of young almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) trees and evaluate the use of remote and proximal sensing tools for identifying threatening factors for the sustainability of the crop. Soil and aerial surveys were used to assess the soil and crop spatial variability in an 8.3‐ha irrigation block. The site was divided into five areas based on apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) measurements where soil samples were collected. Tree growth, soil, and plant water status were monitored in two contrasting areas in ECa. In the first year of study, a significant and positive correlation was found between ECa and percentage of ground canopy cover. Soil analysis and soil moisture monitoring revealed that high values of exchangeable sodium percentage, which are indicative of sodic soils prone to dispersion, and limited water infiltration were the cause of the reduced tree growth in areas with low ECa. The impact of soil spatial variability on tree growth decreased in the second growing season due to weather and water management factors that influenced soil water content. This study showcases the usefulness of remote and proximal sensing in assessing potential soil‐spatial‐related issues in newly established orchards as well as the impact soil spatial variability can have on tree development in the first years after planting. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6584a32ac85e4b07a3b59f5711e7d2ab |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2639-6696 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-6584a32ac85e4b07a3b59f5711e7d2ab2025-08-20T02:49:08ZengWileyAgrosystems, Geosciences & Environment2639-66962024-12-0174n/an/a10.1002/agg2.20572Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soilsCarlos Ballester0Rodrigo Filev‐Maia1John Hornbuckle2Irrigation Research Laboratory, Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Faculty of Science Engineering and Buil Environment Deakin University Griffith New South Wales AustraliaIrrigation Research Laboratory, Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Faculty of Science Engineering and Buil Environment Deakin University Griffith New South Wales AustraliaIrrigation Research Laboratory, Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Faculty of Science Engineering and Buil Environment Deakin University Griffith New South Wales AustraliaAbstract The viability of modern horticulture heavily relies on adopting sustainable practices. Understanding soil spatial variability on heavy clay soils and its impact on young trees is crucial to design suitable soil and water management strategies that guarantee the sustainability of orchards. The objective of this study was to assess in an orchard with heavy clay soils of the Riverine Plain, NSW, the impact of soil spatial variability on the development of young almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) trees and evaluate the use of remote and proximal sensing tools for identifying threatening factors for the sustainability of the crop. Soil and aerial surveys were used to assess the soil and crop spatial variability in an 8.3‐ha irrigation block. The site was divided into five areas based on apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) measurements where soil samples were collected. Tree growth, soil, and plant water status were monitored in two contrasting areas in ECa. In the first year of study, a significant and positive correlation was found between ECa and percentage of ground canopy cover. Soil analysis and soil moisture monitoring revealed that high values of exchangeable sodium percentage, which are indicative of sodic soils prone to dispersion, and limited water infiltration were the cause of the reduced tree growth in areas with low ECa. The impact of soil spatial variability on tree growth decreased in the second growing season due to weather and water management factors that influenced soil water content. This study showcases the usefulness of remote and proximal sensing in assessing potential soil‐spatial‐related issues in newly established orchards as well as the impact soil spatial variability can have on tree development in the first years after planting.https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20572 |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Ballester Rodrigo Filev‐Maia John Hornbuckle Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment |
| title | Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils |
| title_full | Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils |
| title_fullStr | Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils |
| title_short | Impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees: A case study on heavy clay soils |
| title_sort | impact of soil spatial variability on young almond trees a case study on heavy clay soils |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20572 |
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