Research Paper Research Paper Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society 9 (4) November 2021 Using moringa oleifera seed cake and compost as organic soil amendments for sustainable agriculture in Valencia orange orchard NAHLA A. HEMDAN 1 , THANAA SH. M. MAHMOUD 2* , ABOELFETOH M. ABDALLA 2 AND HANI A. MAN- SOUR 3 Data of the article First received : 09 October 2020 | Last revision received : 18 September 2021 Accepted : 20 September 2021| Published online : 24 September 2021 DOI : 10.17170/kobra-202110144889 Keywords Valencia orange, Moringa oleifera seed cake, Compost, Soil hydrophysical properties, Water productivity, Yield. Tis work was conducted during two consecutive seasons, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, at Experimental Research Station of National Research Centre at Nubaria, El Behiera gov- ernorate, Egypt. Twelve-year-old Valencia orange trees (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) bud- ded on Volkamer lemon rootstock, grown in sandy soil under drip irrigation system were used as plant materials to study the efect of six organic soil amendment treatments on hydrophysical soil properties, soil water retention, soil water movement, water productiv- ity, plant nutrient contents, yield and fruit quality. Treatments namely, moringa seed cake (MC) 100% (3 tons/fed), 1 moringa seed cake: 2 compost (COM), 1 moringa seed cake: 1 compost, 2 moringa seed cake: 1 compost, compost 100% (3 tons/fed) and control (none moringa seed cake and none compost). Results showed that the application of moringa seed cake combined with compost at 2:1 achieved the best results in terms of soil properties and water productivity of Valencia orange trees. Tis, in turn, improved nutritional status and increased the productivity of trees and fruit quality compared to the control. 1. Introduction 1 Oranges from the Valencia orange tree (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) are among the most consumed fruits be- cause of their high Vitamin C content. Moreover, it is considered one of Egypt's main export fruits (Martí et al., 2009). Valencia orange trees are cultivated success- fully in Egypt, but the trees planted in newly reclaimed soils face many challenges, including poor nutrient content and low soil organic matter and leaching nu- trients, that afect tree growth and fruit quality. Such conditions require alternative agricultural practices to improve soil properties. Recycling agricultural residues is crucial for augment- ing soil organic amendments and achieving the best agricultural management; however, climate change valorises residues and participating in the circular economy and zero waste contributes to carbon seques- tration (Almendro-Candel et al., 2018). Using organic fertilisers maintains soil components and productiv- ity by increasing soil biological activity and overall soil stability with a positive correlation with microbi- al biomass. Also, it provides efcient use of nutrients and energy from traditionally managed soil. Organic 1Soils and Water Use Dept. Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. 2 Horticultural Crops Technology Dept., Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. 3 Water Relations and Field Irrigation Dept., Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El-Behouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. * Corresponding author: thanaa_3000@yahoo.com