Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part L (2025)

Soil physical interventions such as mechanical loosening, aerated irrigation, and subsurface root-zone ventilation have gained increasing attention as sustainable approaches to improve root system architecture (RSA) and nutrient cycling in fruit crop production. Soil compaction, caused by intensive cultivation and heavy machinery, restricts root growth and microbial activity by reducing soil porosity and oxygen diffusion, ultimately limiting nutrient uptake and crop performance. This review synthesizes recent research on the effects of various soil physical interventions across diverse fruit crops including apples, citrus, peaches, strawberries, berries, and grapevines. Evidence demonstrates that these interventions enhance root traits such as length, surface area, and branching density while stimulating beneficial microbial populations that promote nitrogen fixation, potassium solubilisation, and organic matter decomposition, thereby improving nutrient availability and cycling. Integration of mechanical aeration, aerated irrigation, cover cropping, and biological amendments appears promising in fostering sustainable and resilient fruit production systems by enhancing soil physical properties and rhizosphere functions. This review highlights critical knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions aimed at maximizing root plasticity and nutrient dynamics through innovative soil management, thereby supporting enhanced yield, fruit quality, and environmental sustainability.