Mineral
fertilization and irrigation effects on fruiting and growth in stone pine
(Pinus pinea L.) crop
fertilization and irrigation effects on fruiting and growth in stone pine
(Pinus pinea L.) crop
V. Loewe
A. Alvarez
M. Balzarini
C. Delard
R. Navarro-Cerrillo3
A. Alvarez
M. Balzarini
C. Delard
R. Navarro-Cerrillo3
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What is already
known on this subject?
known on this subject?
This is the first study on fertilization and irrigation
in an adult intensive P. pinea plantation, providing a first management
proposal for the species.
in an adult intensive P. pinea plantation, providing a first management
proposal for the species.
What are the new
findings?
findings?
Fertilization enhanced fruit production (›82.3%) and
vegetative growth while irrigation enhanced only fruiting. Best fruit
production was recorded in fertilized and irrigated plots (›60%).
vegetative growth while irrigation enhanced only fruiting. Best fruit
production was recorded in fertilized and irrigated plots (›60%).
What is the
expected impact on horticulture?
expected impact on horticulture?
Pine nuts can be produced in orchards applying
horticulture techniques as in other fruit crops, improving production quality
and quantity, overcoming the traditional view as a non-timber forest product
(NTFP).
horticulture techniques as in other fruit crops, improving production quality
and quantity, overcoming the traditional view as a non-timber forest product
(NTFP).
Summary
Introduction – Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is a species
of economic interest for its pine nuts. Despite this market, cones are
harvested mostly from natural forests. Advances in semi-intensive or intensive
management for cultivating it as a fruit tree have been scarce. Fruit
development is characterized by a 3-year cycle since pollination to harvesting,
making nutritional and hydric management highly challenging.
of economic interest for its pine nuts. Despite this market, cones are
harvested mostly from natural forests. Advances in semi-intensive or intensive
management for cultivating it as a fruit tree have been scarce. Fruit
development is characterized by a 3-year cycle since pollination to harvesting,
making nutritional and hydric management highly challenging.
Materials and methods – We studied the main and
interaction effects of fertilization and irrigation on growth and fruiting by a
factorial design laid out in an adult stone pine plantation located in central
Chile.
interaction effects of fertilization and irrigation on growth and fruiting by a
factorial design laid out in an adult stone pine plantation located in central
Chile.
Results and discussion – Mineral fertilization had an
effect one year later on height growth (+23.5% increase) and one-year-old
conelet production (+82.3% increase). After two consecutive years of mineral
fertilization, significant positive impacts on diameter growth, height growth
and one-year-old conelet production were observed. Irrigation enhanced fruiting
but did not impact growth significantly. The highest conelet number was
observed in the fertilized and irrigated experimental plots.
effect one year later on height growth (+23.5% increase) and one-year-old
conelet production (+82.3% increase). After two consecutive years of mineral
fertilization, significant positive impacts on diameter growth, height growth
and one-year-old conelet production were observed. Irrigation enhanced fruiting
but did not impact growth significantly. The highest conelet number was
observed in the fertilized and irrigated experimental plots.
Conclusion
Both cultural practices, applied either
individually or combined, are efficient techniques to enhance fruit production
of the stone pine.