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Are Cover Crops Affecting the Quality and Sustainability of Fruit Production?

Author

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  • Giovanna Giacalone

    (Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 3, 10195 Grugliasco, Italy)

  • Cristiana Peano

    (Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 3, 10195 Grugliasco, Italy)

  • Deborah Isocrono

    (Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences (DISAFA), University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini, 3, 10195 Grugliasco, Italy)

  • Francesco Sottile

    (Department of Architecture (DARCH), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 11, 90128 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

The study of the interaction between fruit trees and cover crops has been addressed in numerous works over the last 50 years or more, evidencing the need to evolve from a productive orchard to an orchard that plays different ecosystem roles in terms of environmental sustainability rather than just productivity. This review, through an analysis of the scientific literature since the 1950s, highlights the development of sustainable soil management models in fruit tree orchards, mostly considering the relationship with fruit quality traits and with the ecosystem services that result from the adoption of cover crops, aiming at identifying and formulating technical recommendations in perennial orchards. Cover crop management surely improves soil features and positively influences fruit quality in perennial woody species, but also helps to develop a better habitat for beneficial insects, thus influencing pollination. A large number of scientific approaches highlight the beneficial use of a mixture of seeds in order to enhance biodiversity, aiming at improving ecosystem services for a transition towards more sustainable systems based on agroecological management.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanna Giacalone & Cristiana Peano & Deborah Isocrono & Francesco Sottile, 2021. "Are Cover Crops Affecting the Quality and Sustainability of Fruit Production?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:12:p:1201-:d:690936
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Johnston, Warren, 2003. "California Agriculture Dimensions and Issues: Cross Sections of a Diverse Agriculture: Profiles of California’s Agricultural Production Regions and Principal Commodities," Information Series 296898, University of California, Davis, Giannini Foundation.
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    4. Ali Sarıdaş, Mehmet & Kapur, Burçak & Çeliktopuz, Eser & Şahiner, Yeşim & Kargı, Sevgi Paydaş, 2021. "Land productivity, irrigation water use efficiency and fruit quality under various plastic mulch colors and irrigation regimes of strawberry in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang Yang & Jinfei Zhao & Xinying Liu & Linqiao Xi & Jiean Liao, 2022. "Simulation and Test of “Separated Burying Device” of Green Manure Returning Machine Based on the EDEM Software," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-15, April.

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