Can Olive Pruning Forms Influence the Olive Rhizosphere? The Root Microbiota and the Rhizosphere Properties in the Alto Ricaurte (Colombia)

Abstract

(1) Background: Olive in Colombia is not a traditional crop, but in the Andean Region, ancient olive trees are widespread. The area is characterized by a climate condition with a high intensity of UV rays and meteoric events that negatively affect the olive grown. In this work, changes in the soil of olive trees subjected to different pruning will be established. (2) Methods: Olive trees of 2-years-old were cultivated in Boyacá (Colombia). Trees were pruned into a vase shape, globe shape, and natural shape. Physical, chemical, and biological soil analyses were carried out. (3) Results: In the olive tree, V and G pruning significantly increase the P content in the soil compared to NS, and these pruning forms reduce the OOC significantly in the rhizosphere soil by 87.5% and 78.3%, respectively. In all conditions, the roots established an association with Arbuscular Mycorhizal Fungi and stimulated the presence of other microorganisms, despite the trees being more vegetative than productive in this latitude. (4) Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that, in Colombian conditions, the pruning does not affect the rhizospheric soil conditions.