Articles
Effect of irrigation and vigor zone on tree water status and productivity of three olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars in a super-high-density orchard
Article number
1468_11
Pages
73 – 80
Language
English
Abstract
Water scarcity is increasingly threatening the sustainability of super-high-density (SHD) olive orchards.
This study assessed the physiological and productive responses of three olive cultivars (‘Arbequina’, ‘Lecciana’, and ‘Oliana’) grown in two zones with contrasting vegetative vigor and subjected to three irrigation regimes: rainfed (T1), farm (T2), and double farm (T3). Considering rainfall contributions, trees under T1, T2, and T3 treatments received approximately 29-47%, 58-76%, and 94-104% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), respectively.
A total of 72 trees were monitored throughout the season, and stomatal conductance (gs) was periodically measured to assess tree water status.
At harvest fruit and oil yield was measured for each experimental tree.
Productivity varied depending on both irrigation regime and vigor zone.
In ‘Lecciana’, olive yield increased significantly under the T3 regime, particularly in the high-vigor zone, where it reached approximately 11 kg tree‑1 compared to about 9 kg tree‑1 in T1 and T2 regimes. ‘Oliana’ also showed a significant response to irrigation in the low-vigor zone, with yields rising from about 4.5 kg (T1) to 6.5 kg tree‑1 (T3). In ‘Arbequina’, no significant differences were observed among irrigation treatments, but a significant effect of plant vigor was detected, with higher yields recorded in the high-vigor zone compared to the low-vigor one.
Oil yield followed similar trends, with ‘Lecciana’ benefiting most from higher water availability.
Our findings demonstrate that regulated deficit irrigation strategies affect water status and yield performance differently among cultivars. ‘Oliana’ is highly sensitive to water deficit, while ‘Arbequina’ displays a more tolerant behavior.
These genotype-specific responses should be considered when designing precision irrigation protocols for SHD olive systems.
This study assessed the physiological and productive responses of three olive cultivars (‘Arbequina’, ‘Lecciana’, and ‘Oliana’) grown in two zones with contrasting vegetative vigor and subjected to three irrigation regimes: rainfed (T1), farm (T2), and double farm (T3). Considering rainfall contributions, trees under T1, T2, and T3 treatments received approximately 29-47%, 58-76%, and 94-104% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), respectively.
A total of 72 trees were monitored throughout the season, and stomatal conductance (gs) was periodically measured to assess tree water status.
At harvest fruit and oil yield was measured for each experimental tree.
Productivity varied depending on both irrigation regime and vigor zone.
In ‘Lecciana’, olive yield increased significantly under the T3 regime, particularly in the high-vigor zone, where it reached approximately 11 kg tree‑1 compared to about 9 kg tree‑1 in T1 and T2 regimes. ‘Oliana’ also showed a significant response to irrigation in the low-vigor zone, with yields rising from about 4.5 kg (T1) to 6.5 kg tree‑1 (T3). In ‘Arbequina’, no significant differences were observed among irrigation treatments, but a significant effect of plant vigor was detected, with higher yields recorded in the high-vigor zone compared to the low-vigor one.
Oil yield followed similar trends, with ‘Lecciana’ benefiting most from higher water availability.
Our findings demonstrate that regulated deficit irrigation strategies affect water status and yield performance differently among cultivars. ‘Oliana’ is highly sensitive to water deficit, while ‘Arbequina’ displays a more tolerant behavior.
These genotype-specific responses should be considered when designing precision irrigation protocols for SHD olive systems.
Authors
S. Nesi, S. Priori, G. Caruso
Keywords
‘Arbequina’, canopy vigor, ‘Lecciana’, ‘Oliana’, stomatal conductance, yield
Groups involved
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