Long-term Effect of Intra-Row Spacing on Growth and Productivity of Super-High Density Hedgerow Olive Orchards (cv. Arbequina)

Abstract

Intra-row spacing is known to determine early productivity of super-high density olive orchards depending on growing conditions, cultivar growth characteristics, planting geometry and subsequent pruning management but few experiments have been carried out in this olive hedgerow orchard design. In 2008 an experiment of 4-m spaced hedgerows was established with 8 intra-row spacings (from 1.0 to 2.5 m) in Toledo (Spain) resulting in orchards of density ranging from 2,500 to 1,000 trees ha−1. Tree growth was evaluated as height, trunk diameter and leaf area during the first 4 years. Hedgerow porosity was calculated from the 4th until the 9th year. In the 8th year hedgerow height, width, leaf area and branch angles were measured. Olives were harvested from 3rd to 9th year for measurements of fruit characteristics and productivity. Tree growth was not affected by intra-row spacing during the first 4 years. In the 8th year leaf area, external surface area and volume per tree were significantly greater in the more spaced trees; but hedgerow characteristics of leaf area per hectare, number of effective leaf layers horizontally through the hedgerow, and leaf density were not affected. In the more spaced trees insertion angles of branches to the vertical were significantly greater, mainly in the lower canopy. Intra-row spacing did not affect fruit characteristics. Oil production ha−1 decreased linearly with spacing during the first 4 harvests while production per tree increased significantly with spacing after the 3rd harvest. As a result, oil production ha−1 from the seven harvests combined only increased for tree spacing less than 1.2 m; wider spacing had no effect. Annual oil production ha−1 increased linearly as porosity was reduced by greater tree density and canopy development along the seasons.

High-Resolution UAV Imagery for Field Olive (Olea europaea L.) Phenotyping

“…One of the assumptions in our procedure (a complete and uniform canopy development below the maximum canopy height profile, Figures 3-5) represents a simplification that cannot be applied a priori under different experimental conditions. However, our results are in agreement with those observed in previous experiments [39,40], suggesting a possible use of this technique under specific site conditions. Geometrical canopy characteristics are also important in order to optimize the spray volume in pesticides application [41,42].…”

It Is Feasible to Produce Olive Oil in Temperate Humid Climate Regions

“…On the other hand, Frantoio presents low productive efficiency due to its high vigor, but high fruit production and oil yield at LB site. Vegetative growth rates and canopy volumes reached in the first 5 years showed the potential vegetative development under our agroecological conditions, compromising early bearing as it was described in super high-density systems (Camposeo et al, 2008; Gomez Del Campo et al, 2017). These vigorous growths require differential pruning and nutrition techniques among cultivars in order to improve productive efficiency.…”

“…We found the best productive efficiency in Picual and Arbequina, due to their high fruit production associated to relative low canopy volume. As in other olive production regions, Arbequina, based on productive efficiency among other traits like compact tree shape and thin branches, could potentially be selected for high density orchards (Tous et al, 1998; García et al, 2013; Connor et al, 2014; Trentacoste et al, 2015; Gomez Del Campo et al, 2017; Marino et al, 2017). However high-density plantations under humid-temperate conditions should be carefully evaluated because the risk of air-borne disease epidemics, specially anthracnose olive rot caused by Colletotrichum spp.…”

Light Quality Environment and Photomorphological Responses of Young Olive Trees

“…Due to less intra-and inter-row spacing, SHD orchards reach high levels of leaf area index (i.e., m 2 of leaf area per m 2 of soil surface) before individual trees cover their allotted space. This leads to a greater interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) early in hedgerow formation [3], and oil yield is maximized when trees have grown enough to intercept about 65% of incident PAR [4,5].…”