Bergamot: Restoring Soil Fertility at the Foot of the “Calanchi”
The calanchi create striking landscapes, but cultivating at their foot can present significant challenges. At the Fondacaro farm, located in the agricultural area of Sant’Ilario dello Ionio, in the province of Reggio Calabria, the bergamot trees closest to the calanchi slopes appeared severely weakened, while vegetation improved progressively towards the valley. This clear contrast prompted an investigation into the soil as a possible explanation for the different behaviour of the plants.
Clay is not inherently an enemy
of soil fertility: it retains both water and nutrients. However, when
exchangeable sodium becomes excessive, it promotes the dispersion of soil
particles and the breakdown of aggregates. The soil loses porosity, water infiltration
becomes more difficult, and air exchange is reduced, limiting root activity.
If soluble salts also accumulate,
the plant may struggle to absorb water. Sodicity and salinity are distinct
problems and must be identified through specific soil analyses.
In sodic soils, one useful
amendment is agricultural gypsum, calcium sulphate. Calcium can replace sodium
on the soil exchange sites and promote the flocculation of clay particles. The
displaced sodium must then be removed from the root zone, which requires
suitable-quality water and effective drainage.
Gypsum does not eliminate salts, and the required application rate must be calculated according to the characteristics of the soil and the depth to be reclaimed, as illustrated by the FAO guidance on the management of sodic soils.
Chemical correction should be accompanied by the restoration of the soil’s biological component. When observing the hillside, the northern-facing slope appeared more vegetated than the southern-facing slope, which was dry and sparsely covered. This highlights the role of aspect, moisture availability and soil cover.
Within the orchard, managed grass cover, low-impact soil cultivation and applications of stabilised organic matter can help protect the soil surface and support fertility, while controlling grass competition for water during dry periods.
The experiences described by CREA on
biological soil fertility highlight the contribution of organic
matter and interactions between roots and microorganisms to nutrient-use
efficiency.
The possible use of humic acids
and mycorrhizal inoculants should be assessed according to the specific farm
conditions. These products cannot replace the physical and chemical recovery of
the soil.
Upon returning to the Fondacaro farm after the interventions and rainfall, the bergamot orchard showed encouraging signs of vegetative recovery. This is a positive indication that must nevertheless be monitored over time, without attributing the improvement exclusively to the products used.
NPK fertilisation alone cannot resolve a structural soil problem. Nutritional management must accompany the restoration of root-zone functionality. To enable the plant to recover sustainably, it is necessary to make its soil a hospitable environment once again.
Editorial Note
Original content by Agronomist Dr Vito Vitelli, developed and optimised
with the support of artificial intelligence tools for educational,
informational and technical communication purposes.
Educational and outreach activities carried out in collaboration with:
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