New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts

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Short communication

Effects of tree shelters on young olive (Olea europaea) tree growth and physiology

F. Famiani
P. Proietti
M. Micheli
M. Boco
A. Standardi

Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali Università degli Studi di Perugia Borgo XX Giugno, 74 06121 Perugia, Italy email: ffamiani@unipg.it

F. Ferranti
L. Reale

Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale e Biotecnologie Agroambientali e Zootecniche Università degli Studi di Perugia Borgo XX Giugno, 74 06121 Perugia, Italy

Abstract A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the effects of tree shelters on young olive (Olea europaea) tree growth and physiology. The trial was carried out in the Apulia region in southern Italy using 1-year-old plants of the cultivar ‘Coratina’. Four different types of polypropylene shelters were tested: 75-cm-high brown; 90-cm-high brown; 75-cm-high green; 120-cm-high light-green vented, with holes in their basal part. Both green shelters significantly increased the vertical growth of the trees, especially the 120-cm light-green vented ones. Shelters did not increase the amount of dry matter produced, but they modified its allocation within the tree, favouring vertical growth and the development of shoots in the apical parts of the trees.

Keywords leaf anatomy; establishment of new orchards; photosynthesis; pruning

New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2007, Vol. 35: 303–312
0014–0671/07/3503–0303 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007
H05123; Online publication date 11 August 2007. Received 17 October 2005; accepted 8 February 2007

 

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