DYNAMIC SOD MULCHING AND USE OF RECYCLED AMENDMENTS TO INCREASE BIODIVERSITY, RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY OF INTENSIVE ORGANIC FRUIT ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS - Deliverable 3.6

Several local spontaneous or cultivated species have been tested for under-the-row ground management. The selection of species issued from local biodiversity provides significant advantages in terms of plant resilience. Looking at local species behavior will also help in identify plants with the higher soil cover capability. When considering the additional source of income, officinal plants appeared as a potential target as well as horticultural species. A strong interest and market opportunity are recognized for organic officinal plants in several countries and at EU level. Discussions with producers of officinal plants have pointed out that the possibility of growing plants in a shadow environment, like that of a fruit tree row, is an added value for the market thus increasing product quality