Articles
Bio-agronomical evaluation of a new hermaphroditic carob cultivar in the Balearic Islands
Article number
1464_45
Pages
323 – 330
Language
English
Abstract
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) cultivation is gaining increasing interest due to its high climate change resilience and economic potential.
Traditional orchards mainly rely on female cultivars, requiring pollinizers, leading to reduced orchard efficiency.
To overcome this, development of hermaphroditic cultivars could enhance productivity and simplify orchard management.
The aim of this field study was to evaluate the performance of the new hermaphroditic cultivar ‘e-13P’ in a Spanish traditional growing area.
The trial was conducted in an experimental orchard in Son Mulet (Mallorca, 39°27’57.6”N, 2°56’13.2”E, Spain, 118 m a.s.l.) planted in 2014 and managed under rainfed conditions. ‘e-13P’ was compared to ‘Duraió’, an autochthonous female cultivar.
Phenology and flower abortion were monitored from 2022 to 2024. Cumulative yield tree‑1, trunk cross-section, canopy volume, and yield efficiencies were evaluated at the 11th year after planting (YAP). Moreover, morphometric and qualitative parameters were measured in the period 2021-2024. ‘e-13P’ showed earlier bearing, higher cumulative yield, and significantly greater yield efficiency on trunk section (+145%) and canopy volume (+179%). ‘e-13P’ produced thinner, shorter and lighter pods but with higher seed content, while ‘Duraió’ generated longer, wider, heavier fruits with larger seed weight.
No significant differences emerged in seed number.
These findings highlighted the potential of ‘e-13P’ to improve carob pod production.
Future research will focus on optimizing irrigation strategies and assessing long-term yield stability to enhance carob tree cultivation while fully hermaphroditic plantations may ultimately strengthen the role of carob tree as a resilient and profitable crop in Mediterranean agriculture.
Traditional orchards mainly rely on female cultivars, requiring pollinizers, leading to reduced orchard efficiency.
To overcome this, development of hermaphroditic cultivars could enhance productivity and simplify orchard management.
The aim of this field study was to evaluate the performance of the new hermaphroditic cultivar ‘e-13P’ in a Spanish traditional growing area.
The trial was conducted in an experimental orchard in Son Mulet (Mallorca, 39°27’57.6”N, 2°56’13.2”E, Spain, 118 m a.s.l.) planted in 2014 and managed under rainfed conditions. ‘e-13P’ was compared to ‘Duraió’, an autochthonous female cultivar.
Phenology and flower abortion were monitored from 2022 to 2024. Cumulative yield tree‑1, trunk cross-section, canopy volume, and yield efficiencies were evaluated at the 11th year after planting (YAP). Moreover, morphometric and qualitative parameters were measured in the period 2021-2024. ‘e-13P’ showed earlier bearing, higher cumulative yield, and significantly greater yield efficiency on trunk section (+145%) and canopy volume (+179%). ‘e-13P’ produced thinner, shorter and lighter pods but with higher seed content, while ‘Duraió’ generated longer, wider, heavier fruits with larger seed weight.
No significant differences emerged in seed number.
These findings highlighted the potential of ‘e-13P’ to improve carob pod production.
Future research will focus on optimizing irrigation strategies and assessing long-term yield stability to enhance carob tree cultivation while fully hermaphroditic plantations may ultimately strengthen the role of carob tree as a resilient and profitable crop in Mediterranean agriculture.
Authors
F. Maldera, A. Gallotta, F. Nicolì, S. Camposeo, J. Pou, J. Miquel, L. Tortella, M. del Carme Garau
Keywords
cumulative yield, ‘Duraió’, ‘e-13P’, production efficiency, phenology
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