Sustainable agricultural practices for soil carbon sequestration in olive groves

Overview

This research evaluates how sustainable agricultural practices impact soil physicochemical and microbial properties to enhance carbon sequestration in olive groves. By applying organic amendments such as compost, pruning residues, and cover crops with no-tillage management, the project demonstrates measurable improvements in soil organic matter (SOM) content. The work supports climate change mitigation by optimizing the carbon balance in Mediterranean olive production systems, offering both environmental and agronomic benefits.

Technical specifications

Research approach:

• Field experiments conducted across eighteen plots, each covering approximately 200 m² with four trees per plot, arranged in a completely randomized design
• Four treatment categories evaluated: control (C), compost (COMP), pruning residues (PRUN), and cover crop (COV), with three replicates per treatment
• Carbon sequestration and carbon footprint assessed through direct contact measurement and Geographical Information System (GIS) tools
• Climatic data including temperature and precipitation collected at each site depending on the agricultural system
• Laboratory analysis of soil parameters conducted throughout the application period

Key findings to date:

• SOM content was significantly affected by treatments, with combined treatments producing the highest values
• Recycling pruning residue and composted olive mill waste demonstrated significant positive effects on soil properties compared to orchards without organic amendments
• Optimizing carbon balance in olive groves may improve soil fertility and contribute to climate change mitigation

Technology readiness level

The research is in an active development and validation phase. Initial experimental results have demonstrated significant improvements in soil carbon and related parameters. Future validation activities include extended field monitoring from 2022 through 2025, with lab analysis, state-of-the-art literature reviews, and thesis preparation. The project is positioned at an early-to-mid stage research readiness, with ongoing data collection and analysis to confirm long-term effects on carbon sequestration in agricultural soils.