Impact of different organic amendments on: hydrodynamic soil properties and olive tree behavior conducted under deficit irrigation

ABSTRACT

Current trends in the intensification of olive cultivation including irrigation have dictated a need to reconsider amendment management practices. The addition of organic wastes to agricultural soils is becoming a common practice as a disposal strategy and to improve the physical and chemical soil properties This study examines physiological varieties of young olive trees (Olea europaea L.) grown on deficit irrigation under four different amended soil. We evaluated the short-term effect of different amended soil under deficit irrigation on soil, plant water status, level of soil, and leaf Nitrogen. Water stress was considered to be insignificant or absent with an irrigation amount of 50% of daily evapotranspiration. Leaf relative water content was between 65 and 88% for the Chemlali cultivar, while that of the Koroneiki was between 60 and 70%. Under conditions of water stress, photosynthesis of trees planted in soil amended with biochar decreased from 8.5 to 1.5 μmol.CO₂.m⁻²s⁻¹, compared to the control for both cultivars.To conclude, amendment addition, used as a tool for sustainable agriculture, could improve plant growth, although soil fertility. The type and amount of amendment should receive special attention to be efficient.

Keywords:

• water content
• biochar
• leaf water content
• soil nitrogen balance
• crop water stress index