Conduct a GAP analysis of regenerative agriculture (including orchard floor ecology and soil fertility) research needs in the deciduous fruit industry

The objectives of this study were two-fold. Firstly, to conduct a literature review in the form of a systematic review of all cover crop research performed in the South African deciduous fruit industry and secondly to identify the gaps where future research needs should be focused, especially with regards to orchard floor ecology and soil fertility.

A systematic literature search using multiple databases was conducted to compile information on the effect of cover crops on orchard floor ecology. The exhaustive literature search initially identified 5839 articles from various sources. Following the screening and selection process, 27 articles were deemed suitable for inclusion in this study.

27 articles were used for this systematic literature review. 20 publications focused on apples of which 9 related to the same 3 experimental designs. 3 of the 27 publications were on pears, with 2 of the papers based on the same experimental layout. 4 of the publications were based on plums. Only 1 paper was on peach, and 1 study did not specify the deciduous crop used.

Research is required on the host status of different cover crops to insects (both beneficial and not) in deciduous fruit orchards

Future research should include indigenous grasses as cover crops due to their lower transpiration rates.

Further research is required on the water use of different cover crops at the time of establishment of new orchards.

Research on stone fruit and cover crops is lacking.

Research findings on cover crops in deciduous fruit orchards have been published since 1977, but further research is required to assess the effect of new cover crop types in all deciduous fruit types as the focus has been mostly on apples.