Olive tree response to the severity of pruning

Authors : Manuel ângelo RODRIGUES, João İlídio LOPES, İsabel Queirós FERREIRA, Margarida ARROBAS

Pages : 103-113

View : 18 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2018-04-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Pruning has been seen as a means of improving olive tree productivity. The presumed importance of pruning was described by Columella insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(born 4 AD);, and has persisted in general terms to the present. In this work, the effect of different pruning regimes was assessed from two field trials conducted in Mirandela, NE Portugal, in an olive grove of cv. `Cobrançosa`, rainfed managed. The first trial began after a light crop insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(`off` year); and received four pruning regimes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(hard, moderate, light, and nonpruned control);. The second trial started the following year, after a heavy crop insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(`on` year);, and received two pruning regimes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(hard and nonpruning);. The study was carried out from 2012 to 2016. The accumulated crops of the four harvests performed after pruning in the first experiment did not significantly vary among nonpruning insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8754 kg ha -1 );, slight pruning insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8850 kg ha -1 );, and moderate pruning insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8334 kg ha -1 ); but was significantly lower in hard pruning insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6449 kg ha -1 );. The olive trees showed a high plasticity or tolerance to pruning, since olive yield did not decrease in response to light or moderate pruning regimes. It seems that it is possible to carry out light to moderate pruning to achieve several objectives of orchard management without significant loss of production. The results also showed that if pruning is done under a hard regime it should only be performed after a heavy crop. In addition, if done under a light regime, pruning can also reduce the alternate-year bearing behavior of the olive tree. Alternate bearing, Olea europaea, olive yield, pruning regime
Keywords : Alternate bearing, Olea europaea, olive yield, pruning regime