The way soil is maintained in an orchard directly influences trees’ resistance to drought, machinery access in the field, and production stability from one year to another.

In recent years, more and more fruit growers have been moving away from intensive mechanical soil cultivation in favor of grassing, but the results depend on the timing and the way this technology is applied.

In the ten-hectare organic plum orchard of MICU&CO SRL, owned by Alexei Micu, grassing was adopted gradually, following several stages and practical observations.

From cover crops to natural grassing

“Initially, we started with cover crops, such as oats, peas and clover, which we incorporated into the soil. It was a requirement for organic farming, to prevent erosion and increase organic matter,” says Alexei Micu.

However, the experience of the first years showed him that the system requires careful management, especially regarding the timing of sowing and incorporation.

The following year, he switched to another approach, namely natural grassing.

“We noticed that natural grassing regulates itself. Different species appear and, over time, those that are better adapted to the orchard conditions remain, without the need for reseeding or frequent interventions,” says Alexei Micu.

In practice, this means that the structure of the vegetation cover gradually stabilizes without additional interventions, while the remaining plants are those best adapted to the soil, climate and maintenance regime.

Today, the entire orchard is naturally grassed, on 100% of the area, and this practice has already been applied for about seven years.

image

What changes in the orchard after several years of grassing

One of the most common concerns related to grassing is water consumption.

Field observations confirm that this risk exists, but mainly in the first stage.

“At first, you have the impression that the grass consumes more water and the trees suffer. But after the system stabilizes, things change.”

Over time, the effect becomes the opposite. The vegetation cover reduces evaporation, and the soil retains moisture better.

“We noticed that the trees withstand water stress better. Water evaporation decreased significantly after we switched to grassing.”

Another aspect observed is related to soil temperature.

Measurements taken directly in the orchard showed significant differences between covered soil and mechanically cultivated soil.

“We measured it in summer, and the difference reached as much as 10 degrees at soil level.”

More stable and well-structured soil

In addition to water and temperature, grassing also influences soil structure.

Over time, it becomes more stable and less sensitive to compaction.

“Even if we always drive on the same tracks, we have not observed compaction. On the contrary, the soil seems to recover better.”

An important advantage, especially in years with frequent rainfall, is access to the orchard.

“After rain, we can enter the orchard much faster. This matters a lot when you have treatments to apply.”

Fewer operations and lower costs

The transition to grassing changed the way work is done in the orchard, and consequently the costs as well.

If previously the soil was maintained through repeated mechanical operations, interventions are now fewer.

“Before, we used to go in three times with the disc harrow. Now we mow twice a year, sometimes three times, if necessary.”

The resulting plant biomass is not removed, but remains on the soil, where it acts as a protective layer and gradually contributes to the formation of organic matter.

In certain areas, the farmer also applies additional mulch, using plant residues or straw, especially around the trees.

Biodiversity in the orchard changes

A less discussed, but visible over time, effect is the one on biodiversity.

The presence of natural vegetation cover favors an increase in the number of pollinators and contributes to the balance between pests and natural predators.

“There are more insects, including bees. But pests also behave differently.”

A concrete example is related to spontaneous plants, such as dandelion, which attracts some pests and reduces pressure on the trees.

“We noticed that some insects are more attracted to the flora than to the trees. For example, the hairy beetle prefers dandelion, which for us is a double advantage. On the one hand, fewer pests reach the trees, being attracted at ground level, and on the other hand it is easier for us to manage the traps, which we place directly on the ground, not in the trees, as we used to do before.”

Risks and disadvantages

Despite the benefits, grassing also comes with a number of risks.

The experience in the orchard also showed the limits of this system. For example, the use of unsuitable intercropped plants can create problems.

“We had situations where, in the first years of the trees’ life, alfalfa was sown between the rows and strongly affected the trees. It consumes a lot of water and slows their development.”

What technical recommendations say

Technical data largely confirm the practical observations. Grassing is recommended especially:

in irrigated orchards;
on sloping land;
in areas with sufficient rainfall.

As a rule, it is introduced starting from the 2nd–3rd year after planting, when the trees are already sufficiently well developed.

In the case of artificial grassing, mixtures of grasses and legumes are used, with seeding rates of approximately 18–20 kg/ha, and mowing is carried out 4–5 times per year.

However, practice shows that natural grassing can be a more stable and easier-to-manage alternative, especially under local conditions.

When balance appears

Although it has multiple advantages, grassing is not a suitable solution at every stage.

“In the first years, the trees need an advantage. At that stage, it is better to cultivate the soil. After 2–3 years, you can switch to grassing.”

This approach is also supported by technical recommendations, which indicate that in the first years competition for water and nutrients must be reduced as much as possible.

This article was developed by the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Center of the Republic of Moldova within the PROGRESS project, funded by the Government of Germany and implemented by the consortium of organizations led by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in partnership with the European Business Association (EBA) Moldova, IEF, OECD and RECC.