Effects of olive shoot residues on shoot and root growth of potted olive plantlets
2015
Endeshaw, Solomon T. | Lodolini, Enrico M. | Neri, Davide
Decomposition of olive shoot residue (OSR) from leaf shedding and pruning may provide nutrient to olive orchards, although beyond a phytotoxic threshold it can also hamper plant growth. We studied OSR decomposition effects on plant growth, biomass partitioning and soil fertility. Four levels of OSR (0%, 3%, 10% and 30% [v/v]) were mixed into the substrate and placed close to the roots compared on two olive potted cultivars over 240 days using a destructive sampling approach. Organic matter, polyphenol and nitrogen contents in the substrate, fine root respiration and electrolyte leakage, leaf pigment content, chlorophyll a fluorescence, biomass partitioning, fine root nutritional status were determined. OSR increased the content of organic matter, polyphenols and nitrogen in the soil. In the first 150 days, OSR beyond 3% induced autotoxic effects, and altered fine root respiration, and electrolyte leakage and biomass allocation. After 240 days, OSR induced a stimulatory effect on fine roots and shoot growth and increased shoot and fine root nitrogen content. Application OSR did not significantly altered leaf pigment content and chlorophyll a fluorescence. As a conclusion, above the threshold of 3%, olive cannot prevent autotoxicity during the early decomposition of OSR, but later soil fertility and plant growth can be increased.
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