Soil water management through subsurface drainage and ground cover influences yield and fruit quality of ‘Navelina’ sweet orange under semi-arid conditions
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) production in Mediterranean semi-arid regions is increasingly constrained by water scarcity and soil degradation, requiring improved soil management strategies to optimize resource-use efficiency without compromising fruit quality. These practices can modify soil physical conditions and root-zone processes, with direct implications for plant growth and crop performance. This study evaluated the combined effects of anti-weed mesh and subsurface drainage on yield and fruit composition in young ‘Navelina’ trees. An 18-month field experiment was conducted using six treatments differing in ground cover and drainage configuration. Treatments incorporating drainage and ground cover improved productive performance, suggesting enhanced soil conditions and more efficient use of available resources.