Long-term conservation horticulture in mango orchards: comparative effects of conventional and conservation management practices on an Alfisol under seasonally dry tropical savanna climate

摘要

Conservation horticulture practices (CHP) is a new concept in the management of orchard soil health, reasonably over a long period under perennial horticultural systems. This paper reports the results of comprehensive investigations on Alfisol soil properties under conventional and CHP over nine years in dryland mango orchards. Effects of conservation tillage inter cropping and cover cropping on soil physical, chemical and biological health parameters were evaluated following standard methods of analysis. CHP improved soil quality by lowering the bulk density and enhancing the infiltration rate. Soil aggregate formation and water stability were enhanced in plots with conservation practices due to a higher production of glomalin compared to vegetable and orchard plots under conventional practices. Infiltration of water improved in CHP plots due to high organic matter content, lower bulk density and enhanced exchangeable basic cations. Microbial and biochemical properties significantly improved in plots with CHP over orchard plots with conventional practices. Legumes crops were more effective in improving soil quality than sweet potato.