Effects of Regulated and Continuous Deficit Irrigation on Growth and Yield of Super High Density Olive orchard in La Rioja (Spain)

Abstract

This study evaluated four irrigation strategies applied to olive trees (Arbequina cv.) in super high density orchard, inorder to reduce the consumption of water compared to a fully watered control. The most advantageous strategy has beento prevent the water stress of trees by means of the continuous measurement of trunk diameter fluctuations in which theproductive and vegetative variables are not altered with a 31.2 % of average water saving. The production of moderatestress during the pit hardening phase has also been very interesting. Experience shows that trees recover from thismoderate stress (18.9 % average water saving) and their vegetative and productive characteristics turn out to be verysimilar to those of the control treatment.On the contrary, the strategy that has been based on producing water stress throughout the crop, as well as thatwhich produced severe stress during the pit hardening phase have been shown to significantly alter some of thevegetative and production characteristics. It caused a decrease in oil yield of 16% less compared to the Control, whichmight not compensate for the water saved.