Trait-based approach for agroecology: contribution of service crop root traits to explain soil aggregate stability in vineyards

• Published in: Plant and soil 2019-02, Vol.435 (1/2), p.1-14
• Main Authors: Garcia, Léo, Damour, Gaëlle, Gary, Christian, Follain, Stéphane, Le Bissonnais, Yves, Metay, Aurélie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural ecology; Agricultural ecosystems; Agricultural sciences; Agroecology; Agroecosystems; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cover crops; Crops; Ecology; Genetic aspects; Life Sciences; Management; Measurement methods; Observations; Organic carbon; Organic soils; Plant communities; Plant Physiology; Plant roots; Plant Sciences; Plant-soil relationships; Quantitative trait loci; Rain; REGULAR ARTICLE; Soil aggregates; Soil carbon; Soil investigations; Soil management; Soil management (Agronomy); Soil properties; Soil quality; Soil Science & Conservation; Soil stability; Soil structure; Soil study; Strategic planning (Business); Tillage; Topsoil; Vineyards; Wineries; Wineries & vineyards
• ISSN: 0032-079X; 1573-5036
• DOI: 10.1007/s11104-018-3874-4

Aims The aim of this study was to explore the impact of soil management strategies and the contribution of root traits of plant communities and soil organic carbon (SOC) in explaining soil aggregate stability in vineyards. Methods We measured topsoil aggregate stability, soil properties and root traits of 38 plant communities in an experimental vineyard, previously subjected to different soil management strategies. Then we investigated statistical relations between aggregate stability, root traits and SOC and estimated root trait and SOC contributions to gain insight into aggregate stability. Results Soil management strategies strongly affected soil aggregate stability, with a negative effect of tillage, even after several years of service crop cover. Among the investigated parameters, soil organic carbon was found to contribute the most to aggregate stability. Root mean diameter and root mass density showed positive correlations with aggregate stability, while specific root length showed a negative correlation with aggregate stability. Conclusions Soil aggregate stability is the result of complex interactions between soil management strategies, soil properties and plant root traits. Service crops improve aggregate stability, and a trait-based approach could help to identify service crop ideotypes and expand the pool of species of interest for providing services in agroecosystems in relation with the soil physical quality.