Growth of Vegetables in an Agroecological Garden-Orchard System: The Role of Spatiotemporal Variations of Microclimatic Conditions and Soil Properties

Garden-orchard systems (GOS) consist in intercropping various vegetables with fruit trees. They are very promising to produce fruits and sufficient quantity of adequate quality while limiting environmental impacts. We assessed the effects apple trees on spatiotemporal variations microclimatic conditions soil properties, their influence growth two (radish lettuce). performed measurements five vegetable beds situated at different distances from tree rows (from 1.5 5 m). Vegetable near received average 8% less radiation. Air temperature was °C lower during daytime air relative humidity up 5% higher. Apple improved surface properties. Soil organic matter 40% higher whereas bulk density 16% lower, N mineralization times faster. Mineral were primary factors for radish lettuce mainly affected by microclimate. Our results provide a framework define spatial arrangement GOS that optimize ecosystem services and, therefore, productivity GOS.