Structure, Management and Productivity of Hedgerow Olive Orchards: A Review.

CONNOR, D.J.; GOMEZ-DEL CAMPO, M.V.; ROUSSEAUX, M. C.; SEARLES, P.S.

SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 169 p. 71 - 93

0304-4238

Olive was introduced into cultivation more than 3000 years ago, but only during the last two decadeshas cultivation shifted from low density to dense hedgerow orchards. This development responds tothe need for mechanization to reduce production costs and achieve more timely management interven-tions. There is, however, little scientific or commercial knowledge available to support this new plantingsystem in olive and to contribute to its development. This review focuses on what is known and whatknowledge is required for design and management of hedgerow orchards for continuing productivityand economic viability. The review adopts a targeted approach based on consideration of the impact oforchard structure on microenvironment and production processes and oil quality. Particular emphasisis given to how orchard design and structure affect irradiance interception and how that determinesproductivity. The review also deals with establishment of orchards (cultivar selection, planting patterns,pruning for row formation) and maintenance of hedgerows for continuing productivity (irrigation, fertil-ization, pruning to maintain structure and productivity, control of pests and diseases, and regeneration offailed hedgerows). An important underlying consideration is the strong interaction between design anddimensions of both hedgerows and harvesting machines with examples taken from the two common,high density (HD) and super-high density (SHD) orchard designs. The search for new machine designscontinues simultaneously with that for cultivars, orchard layouts, and pruning systems better suited tothis new production system. Currently, only three cultivars (?Arbequina?, ?Arbosana, ?Koroneiki?) dominateSHD orchards. Over-row harvesters must match hedgerow dimensions while tree structure and fruitingbehavior must suit the harvester. Context is provided by identifying reasons for major differences fromtraditional olive culture and attitudes from which most existing information on tree response and suc-cessful management practice has been accumulated. To account for these differences, terminology isproposed to define hedgerow structure that is required for effective management of oil production, oilquality, sanitary conditions, and profitability under various conditions. The review continues with dis-cussions of requirements and current performance of mechanical harvesters and a comparative lifecycleeconomic analysis of alternative HD and SHD systems. The latter demonstrates the complexity of analysisand its importance to the choice of orchard design at the outset of each new project. The review con-cludes with recommendations for basic and applied research to determine optimal hedgerow structuresand management for individual situations, development of new cultivars, and maintenance of hedgerowstructure for continuing productivity.