Water scarcity and soil degradation are major threats to agricultural production in the Mediterranean basin. Due to climate change, drought events are occurring more frequently in many regions worldwide, while strong water competition for urban and industrial needs is reducing water availability for agriculture. Tree fruit crops are particularly threatened by the risk of water scarcity because of their perennial habit and the potential long-term effects of severe droughts. On the other hand, there is also evidence of an increasing occurrence of heavy rainfall events that further expose the soil to erosion and degradation. Therefore, improving the water use efficiency and contrasting soil erosion and degradation in orchards and vineyards is essential to mitigate possible negative effects of climate change and to maintain high-quality fruit productions in their traditional areas. In this paper we report some results from studies carried out by our research group on sustainable management of water and soil in orchard and vineyards. An additional focus on the new technologies for orchard management based on precision agriculture is also included.
Sustainable management of water and soil in olive orchards and vineyards under climate change
GIOVANNI CARUSO
;GIACOMO PALAI;CLAUDIO D’ONOFRIO;RICCARDO GUCCI
2019-01-01
Abstract
Water scarcity and soil degradation are major threats to agricultural production in the Mediterranean basin. Due to climate change, drought events are occurring more frequently in many regions worldwide, while strong water competition for urban and industrial needs is reducing water availability for agriculture. Tree fruit crops are particularly threatened by the risk of water scarcity because of their perennial habit and the potential long-term effects of severe droughts. On the other hand, there is also evidence of an increasing occurrence of heavy rainfall events that further expose the soil to erosion and degradation. Therefore, improving the water use efficiency and contrasting soil erosion and degradation in orchards and vineyards is essential to mitigate possible negative effects of climate change and to maintain high-quality fruit productions in their traditional areas. In this paper we report some results from studies carried out by our research group on sustainable management of water and soil in orchard and vineyards. An additional focus on the new technologies for orchard management based on precision agriculture is also included.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
