Soil Properties at Different Distances of Intercropping in Three Olive Orchards in Morocco

Aims: This study aims to investigate the effect of the distance from olive tree on soil fertility in three intercropping (wheat, fababean, and chickpea).
Study Design: Randomized complete block with four replications. The factor studied is the distance from the olive rows.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted during 2014 in farmers’ fields at Dou yet in Morocco. Three olive orchards were chosen with the three intercropping.
Methodology: The planting density of the olive orchards is 10*10 m2 and planted variety is Moroccan Picholine. After harvesting annual crops, soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm layer at ten different distances from olive rows, with four replications in each of the three intercropping to the olive tree. Soil fertility parameters were determined. Olive leaves were also collected with eight repetitions in each of the three orchards. Leaf nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents were determined. The olives yield components were determined on a sample of 30 fruits per tree, taken at harvest, with eight repetitions in each of the three olive orchards.
Results: The olive yields in this year were 1.7, 2.5 and 3 t.ha-1 for trees associated with wheat, fababean and chickpea, respectively. The distance from the olive row had different effects on the soil parameters within each intercropping in the olive orchards. For wheat, the maximum organic matter content was recorded near the tree (distance 0). For fababean, the distance from the olive row had no effect on all soil parameters. In chickpea plot, the distance from the olive row affected only the soil nitrate content with the maximum level was recorded at 5 meters from the olive row.
Conclusion: This study shows that fertilization of the combination of olive tree and intercrop should take in to the count, the associated species and the distance from olive tree for an efficient use of mineral fertilization.