Fertilizer and Water Improves Nut Yield in Stone Pines

Mineral fertilization and irrigation effects on fruiting and growth in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) crop

V. Loewe
A. Alvarez
M. Balzarini
C. Delard
R. Navarro-Cerrillo3

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What is already known on this subject?

This is the first study on fertilization and irrigation in an adult intensive P. pinea plantation, providing a first management proposal for the species.

What are the new findings?

Fertilization enhanced fruit production (›82.3%) and vegetative growth while irrigation enhanced only fruiting. Best fruit production was recorded in fertilized and irrigated plots (›60%).

What is the expected impact on horticulture?

Pine nuts can be produced in orchards applying horticulture techniques as in other fruit crops, improving production quality and quantity, overcoming the traditional view as a non-timber forest product (NTFP).

Summary

Introduction  - 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.

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This research accessed from North Carolina State University's AgriFoodGateway