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Mapping impaired olive tree development using electromagnetic induction surveys

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Abstract

Background and aims

Future success of olive cropping in the Mediterranean depends critically on improving yield, reducing production costs, and preventing infestation by soil-borne pathogens. In order to put forward adequate soil management practices accurate knowledge of the spatial distribution of soil properties is required. The aims of this study were to delimit areas with constrained tree development in an olive orchard using electromagnetic induction (EMI), and to identify the causal relationships between apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and soil properties.

Methods

The experimental field was exhaustively sampled for different soil properties and ECa was measured in 2011 and 2012 under dry and wetter soil conditions, respectively.

Results

The spatial ECa distribution matched the observed canopy coverage pattern well. Three zones were delimited according to ECa values from 0 to 27.5, from 27.5 to 57.5, and greater than 57.5 mS m−1. All ECa signals, regardless of soil-water status, exhibited a common dominant ECa pattern. The area with the lowest ECa values (0–27.5 mS m−1) showed optimal tree growth (45 % canopy coverage) and presented significantly lower average clay contents than the other two areas. Intermediate ECa values (27.5–57.5 mS m−1) identified accurately the area with deficient tree development and tree die-off (12 % canopy coverage), and corresponded with an area along the drainage pathway where profile-averaged soil-water, clay, stone and organic matter content were highest.

Conclusions

EMI surveys detected subtle differences in soil properties and provided useful information to delimit areas with constrained tree development. The approach can be used as a screening technique before installing tree plantations.

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Notes

  1. Manufacturer’s names are provided for information and its use does not constitute endorsement.

Abbreviations

ANOVA:

analysis of variance

CA:

projected canopy area

CV:

coefficient of variation

DOE:

depth of exploration

ECa:

apparent electrical conductivity

EMI:

electromagnetic induction

H:

horizontal co-planar coil orientation

KC:

kurtosis coefficient

OM:

organic matter

P:

perpendicular coil orientation

s :

standard deviation

SC:

skewness coefficient

SWC:

soil water content

WI:

wetness index

Z:

elevation

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this work came from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and FEDER (Grants AGL2009-12936-C03-03, AGL2009-12936-C03-01 and AGL2012-40128-C03-03), and from the Junta de Andalucía (AGR-4782). Also support through PhD grant n° 8 (Res. 15/04/10) by IFAPA is acknowledged. Special thanks to M. Morón, J. García, M.A. Ayala, A. Jardúo and E. Rodríguez of IFAPA Centro Las Torres-Tomejil for their assistance with the field and laboratory work and to Tom Van walleghem for revising this manuscript thoroughly. We are also very grateful to Francisco Natera, the owner of the “La Conchuela” farm, and the staff for their continuous support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IFAPA, Centro Las Torres-Tomejil, Ctra. Sevilla-Cazalla km 12.2, 41200, Alcalá del Río, Sevilla, Spain

    Aura Pedrera-Parrilla & Karl Vanderlinden

  2. Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio da Vinci. Ctra. km 396, Madrid, 14071, Córdoba, Spain

    Antonio Jesús Espejo-Pérez & Juan Vicente Giráldez

  3. Instituto de Agricultura Sostenible, CSIC, Apartado 4084, 14080, Córdoba, Spain

    José Alfonso Gómez & Juan Vicente Giráldez

  4. IFAPA, Centro Alameda del obispo. Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004, Córdoba, Spain

    Gonzalo Martínez

Authors
  1. Aura Pedrera-Parrilla
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  2. Gonzalo Martínez
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  3. Antonio Jesús Espejo-Pérez
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  4. José Alfonso Gómez
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  5. Juan Vicente Giráldez
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  6. Karl Vanderlinden
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Correspondence to Karl Vanderlinden.

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Pedrera-Parrilla, A., Martínez, G., Espejo-Pérez, A.J. et al. Mapping impaired olive tree development using electromagnetic induction surveys. Plant Soil 384, 381–400 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2207-5

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