Long-term effect of intra-row spacing on growth and productivity of super-high density hedgerow olive orchards (Cv. Arbequina)

Abstract

Intra-row spacing is known to determine early productivity of super-high density olive orchards depending on growing conditions, cultivar growth characteristics, planting geometry and subsequent pruning management but few experiments have been carried out in this olive hedgerow orchard design. In 2008 an experiment of 4-m spaced hedgerows was established with 8 intra-row spacings (from1.0 to 2.5m) in Toledo (Spain) resulting in orchards of density ranging from 2,500 to 1,000 trees ha–1. Tree growth was evaluated as height, trunk diameter and leaf area during the first 4 years. Hedgerow porosity was calculated from the 4th until the 9th year. In the 8th year hedgerow height, width, leaf area ..