Management practices and soil quality in 'Rocha' pear groves

Abstract

Different management systems can induce modifications on ecosystems functioning. In the context of growing concern with sustainability and environmental quality it is crucial to evaluate possible changes in soil, as a determinant resource for fertility and productivity. Physical, chemical and biological soil quality indicators were determined in four Rocha pear groves from the Oeste region of Portugal, where interows are kept by: permanent natural cover crop (NT), tillage with manure incorporation (CT+M), conventional tillage at 15 cm (CT1) and conventional tillage up to 40 cm depth (CT2). All properties related to soil organic matter dynamics have expressed alterations related to changes in management, with manure and permanent cover cropping being the most favourable systems regarding organic matter accumulation and, consequently, microbial activity.