Mineral fertilization and irrigation effects on fruiting and growth in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) crop

LOEWE, V.; ALVAREZ, A.; BALZARINI, M.; DELARD, C.; NAVARRO-CERRILLO, R.

FRUITS

EDP SCIENCES S A

Lugar: Paris; Año: 2017 vol. 72 p. 281 - 287

0248-1294

Introduction ? Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is a spe- cies of economic interest for its pine nuts. Despite this market, cones are harvested mostly from natural for- ests. Advances in semi-intensive or intensive manage- ment 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. Materi- als and methods ? We studied the main and interac- tion 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. Conclusion ? Both cultural prac- tices, applied either individually or combined, are ef- ficient techniques to enhance fruit production of the stone pine.