EFFECTS OF SOIL-PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND PRODUCTIVITY IN FRUIT TREE ORCHARDS.

The article discusses findings of a study which examined the effects of different agricultural practices on yield and soil organic carbon (SOC) in kiwifruit and apricot orchards grown at a Mediterranean area in South Italy. A comparison of the local orchard management practices and soil-protecting orchard management actions is also presented. Examples of soil-protecting orchard management practices included cover crop, no-tillage, compost application and mulching of pruning residues.