Evaluating the seasonal effects of whole orchard recycling on water movement and nitrogen retention for a newly established almond orchard: simulation using HYDRUS-1D

Authors: Thao, Touyee; CULUMBER, CATHERINE - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service; Poret-Peterson, Amisha; ZUBER, CAMERON - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service; HOLTZ, BRENT - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service; Gao, Suduan

Submitted to: Agricultural Water Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2024
Publication Date: 5/18/2024
Citation: Thao, T., Culumber, C.M., Poret-Peterson, A.T., Zuber, C.A., Holtz, B.A., Gao, S. 2024. Evaluating the seasonal effects of whole orchard recycling on water movement and nitrogen retention for a newly established almond orchard: simulation using HYDRUS-1D. Agricultural Water Management. 299:108882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108882.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108882

Interpretive Summary: Whole orchard recycling (WOR) is an emerging orchard removal strategy that incorporates large amounts of woody biomass back into the soil system. It is an ecological alternative to open burning and cogeneration and has many potential benefits to maintain soil health and crop production sustainability. In this research, we utilized a soil hydrological model (HYDRUS-1D) to evaluate the seasonal effects of WOR on water movement and nitrogen (N) retention for a newly established almond orchard across five growing seasons (2018 to 2022). Our results show an increase in soil moisture content in the WOR treatments within the zone of application (top six-inch soil depths) and reduced N leaching when compared to the unamended control. Our simulations further suggest that with WOR, irrigation can be reduced by up to 20% during the tree establishment stage with minimal effect on root water uptake. This reduction in applied water can increase farm water use efficiency, reduce operational expenses, minimized N leaching, and lessen orchard environmental impacts. Overall, results from our simulation show a positive effect of WOR on soil ecosystem services and can potentially be a profitable strategy for orchard turnover. The results have important implications in orchard management for irrigated agriculture, not only the Central Valley of California but also most parts of the Southwestern United States.

Technical Abstract: Whole orchard recycling (WOR) is an emerging practice in perennial cropping systems and is an alternative to open or cogeneration burning. It is an orchard removal practice that incorporates large amounts of woody biomass back into the soil system. In this study, we utilized a soil hydrological model (HYDRUS-1D) to evaluate the seasonal effects of WOR on water movement and nitrogen (N) retention for a newly established almond orchard on a typical sandy loam soil in the region. Soil moisture and N content were monitored across the first five growing seasons from 2018 to 2022. The model was able to track seasonal moisture fluctuation nicely compared to observed data. Additionally, an increase in soil moisture was measured in the WOR treatments in surface soil (i.e., 0- to 15-cm depths) where biomass was incorporated, and N leaching was reduced when compared to the unamended control. Simulations suggest that with WOR, irrigation can be reduced by up to 20% during the tree establishment stage with minimal effect on root water uptake. This reduction in applied water can increase farm water use efficiency and reduce operational expenses, e.g., cost of water and pumping. Likewise, the reduction in N leaching observed in both simulated results and laboratory analysis can further cut farm capital costs, e.g., fertilization, and lessen orchard environmental impacts. Overall, results from our simulation show a positive effect of WOR on soil ecosystem services and can potentially be a profitable strategy for orchard turnover. The results have important implications in reducing groundwater nitrate contamination in irrigated agriculture in the Central Valley of California and applicable to most parts of Southwestern United States.