Soil Macrofauna: A key Factor for Increasing Soil Fertility and Promoting Sustainable Soil Use in Fruit Orchard Agrosystems

Abstract

Soils and crops in orchard agrosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental stresses. In many orchard soils, soil biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are under threat from a range of natural and manmade drivers. In this scenario, sustainable soil use aimed at increasing soil organic matter (SOM) and SOM-related benefits, in terms of soil quality and fertility, plays a crucial role. The role of soil macrofaunal organisms as colonizers, comminutors and engineers within soils, together with their interactions with microorganisms, can contribute to the long-term sustainability of orchard soils. Indeed, the continuous physical and chemical action of soil fauna significantly affects SOM levels. This review paper is focused on the most advanced and updated research on this argument. The analysis of the literature highlighted that a significant part of soil quality and fertility in sustainably-managed fruit orchard agrosystems is due to the action of soil macrofauna, together with its interaction with decomposing microorganisms. From the general analysis of the data obtained, it emerged that the role of soil macrofauna in orchards agrosystems should be seriously taken into account in land management strategies, focusing not exclusively on fruit yield and quality, but also on soil fertility restoration.

Effect of Long-Term Soil Management Practices on Tree Growth, Yield and Soil Biodiversity in a High-Density Olive Agro-Ecosystem

“…Soil biodiversity loss, i.e., the reduction of living forms (in terms of both quantity and variety) and their related roles, cause a deterioration of the soil functions or ecosystems [22][23][24][25]. The soil status can be assessed by the functional biodiversity; by this, microarthropods can be characterized based on diverse feeding strategies and different adaptation degrees allowing them to inhabit soil microhabitats [26]. Colonizers, comminutors and soil ecosystem engineers within soils contribute, together with their interactions with microorganisms, to soil functioning and processes [27]; predatory and omnivorous myriapods, arachnids and insects, are involved in regulating services towards pest species [28].…”

Role of Microbes in Plant Growth and Food Preservation

“…These micro and macro-organisms work together to improve soil quality. Macrofaunal creatures play an essential role in the soil system as colonisers, comminutors, and engineers, and their interactions with microbes are critical for this (Sofo et al, 2020).…”

Community Ecology of Soil Fauna Under Periodically Flooded Forest and Anthropic Fields

“…Invertebrate soil communities play a key role in nutrient cycling as they accelerate organic matter decomposition processes, increasing nutrients to plants, and improving soil health (Sofo et al, 2020). However, humidity is a key factor in the activity of this community, especially during periods of hypoxia or anoxia (Coyle et al, 2017) caused by the rise of the water table.…”