Spontaneous Plants Improve the Inter-Row Soil Fertility in a Citrus Orchard but Nitrogen Lacks to Boost Organic Carbon

The inter-row soils in conventionally run citrus orchards Eastern Spain lose fertility, either physically, chemically, or biologically, as a consequence of machinery traffic and the use herbicides. In order to regain soil two grass-cover management alternatives commonly used herbicide-kept bare management, namely, spontaneous plants fescue, were established left for four years until their effects on several physical, chemical, biological parameters monitored more. fescue ground cover exhibited lower average maximum temperatures due higher evapotranspiration rates but also annual water content and, additionally, rhizodeposition. Despite fact that these new beneficial conditions helped enhance soil’s fertility under physical chemical fertilities did not improve neither organic carbon (SOC). enhanced this case, reflected by improvements particularly exchangeable potassium, increasing surface hydraulic conductivity decreasing bulk density. inter-rows orchard, seeded grass does seem able provide any enhancement comparison one; rather opposite. However, lack natural man-driven nitrogen inputs poses constraint SOC gains. For aim, application nitrogen-rich materials even better, fostering N-fixing organisms would be recommended.