OLIVE ADAPTATION TO THE EDAPHOCLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN THE LLUTA VALLEY, ARICA – CHILE.

The soil and water characteristics of the Lluta valley, located in the northern region of Chile (18°S) have limited historically the spectre of cultivation that been carried out.
Among the only local varieties of cultivated plants are corn, tomato, onion, and alfalfa.
Among the fruit trees we find date palm and olive-tree examples.
The lack of variety is a consequence of the high saline conditions in the irrigation water (C.E. 2.15 – 3.35 mmhos/cm) and high boron concentration (8.3 – 23 ppm); at the same time the soil has concentrations of this element between 30 and 50 ppm and a conductivity of 8 – 15 mmhos/cm, with variations along the sea-cordillera gradient.

The presence of 15 olive-tree over 30 year old, in two sections of the valley attest to the natural adaptation of this species to the harsh conditions mentioned above.
From this evidence the hypothesis that the olive-tree is viable economic alternative for this valley, was tested.

Five high density (7 x 7 m) experimental plots, one hectare each, were established in the valley, with an altitude gradient (110, 190, 280, 350, and 655 m.o.s.l.).

II International Symposium on Olive Growing

E.M. Sotomayor, F.P. De La Riva, A.J. Leiva

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1994.356.40