Dynamic sod mulching and use of recycled amendments to increase biodiversity, resilience and sustainability of intensive organic fruit orchards and vineyards

Abstract

The aim of the project DOMINO is to reduce external inputs in intensive organic fruit orchards for pest control and fertilization and to improve the overall productivity and sustainability of this agroecosystem. This will be tackled by increasing orchard biodiversity, adaption of plant protection strategies to new demands and more adapted fertilisation strategies using efficient recycling of organic residues and microbial consortia. In addition, these new management practices are expected to stabilize the cash flow of the farmers by the introduction of secondary cash crops, leading to the design of mixed orchard systems more resilient to climatic and socio-economic challenges