Artículo de revista
Mineral fertilization and irrigation effects on fruiting and growth in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) crop
Fecha
2017Autor
Loewe Muñoz, Verónica
Alvarez Contreras, Andrea
Balzarini, Mónica
Delard R., Claudia
Navarro Cerrillo, Rafael M.
Resumen
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. 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. 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 practices, applied either individually or combined, are efficient techniques to enhance fruit production of the stone pine.