Sustainable Intensification in Fruit Tree Cultivation: Agronomic, Environmental, and Socio-Economic Indicators of Cover Crop Adoption (CLIMCOVER Project)

This dataset presents the comprehensive results of a two-year research initiative conducted within the framework of the CLIMCOVER project, focusing on sustainable intensification in modern fruit tree cultivation. The study specifically evaluates the transition from traditional bare soil management to the use of cover crops, with the primary objective of quantifying the benefits of this agroecological practice regarding soil health, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem multifunctionality. By integrating agronomic, physicochemical, and high-throughput molecular indicators, the data facilitates a comparative evaluation of cultivation systems. The dataset includes detailed site metadata and environmental characterization—providing coordinates, climatic variables (temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration), and topographical features—alongside in-depth documentation of agricultural management practices, such as tillage, fertilization, and irrigation, all contextualized through specific case study codification. In addition to the biophysical data, the dataset incorporates a comprehensive socio-economic assessment designed to identify both private and social costs and benefits of cover crops, as well as the barriers and enabling factors for their adoption. This assessment evaluates whether implementing cover crops in tree orchards is not only technically feasible and environmentally positive but also profitable for farmers and beneficial for society. To achieve this, a financial cost-benefit analysis was carried out to evaluate the implications of cover crops on orchard profitability. Special attention was paid to changes in the use of fertilizers and pesticides and their impact on crop yield, utilizing a combination of partial crop budgeting techniques with experimental field data and a sensitivity analysis of relevant technical and economic parameters. Furthermore, the dataset includes an economic cost-benefit analysis approach used to assess the broader social and environmental implications. This analysis integrates all relevant impacts by summarizing in monetary terms the balance between social costs and benefits. Using the CICES framework (Haines-Young and Potschin, 2018), relevant ecosystem services were identified and valued, considering the economic system as a component of the ecological system. The economic valuation considers changes in flows and natural capital stock, relying on biophysical results and existing scientific literature for public goods. For benefits that cannot be measured monetarily, multi-criteria analysis techniques were integrated into the assessment. Finally, the research identifies the barriers and enabling factors influencing the adoption of cover crops in orchards. Beyond profitability, the dataset explores technical, legal, policy, cultural, social, and psychological factors that may hinder or foster successful implementation. These dimensions were assessed using the theory of planned behaviour through interaction with relevant stakeholders. This qualitative data helps to understand farmers’ perceptions towards cover crops and identifies the potential drivers required to encourage their widespread use in modern fruit tree cultivation.