Root distribution in young olive trees (Olea europaea cv. Chétoui) and agronomic application

Abstract

The study was carried out to have a comprehensive view of the root system behavior of young olive trees cultivated under field conditions. The experiment involved irrigated trees (Olea europaea L., cv., Chetoui) cultivated at 6x6 m2 spacing in Mornag (36.5°N, 10.2°E), northern Tunisia. The way in which roots explore the soil volume during the first years after planting was explored through ‘in situ’ root system drawings and estimation of root densities. The relationship between canopy and root growth parameters was also investigated. The last section of this paper proposes a methodological approach for determining irrigation requirements of young olive trees and how water supply could be linked to the development of canopy and root system during the first years of cultivation when ground cover and the root system are not completely developed. Some agronomic applications were then deduced concerning water and fertilizers for such orchards. Results show that the main development of the olive root system occurs during the two to four first years of cultivation confining most roots (70%) to the top soil layers (20-40 cm). Maximum root densities were observed at this depth at a distance of 0.4 m from trunks. For young trees, water and fertilizers should be supplied at these depths and distances from trunk to allow easy and efficient root absorption. Obtained results also show a significant relationship between canopy and root areas which can be approximated by a linear model (r = 0.94). The root-canopy ratio estimated from their areas decreased rapidly beginning from the second year after planting, resulting from the establishment of competition between vegetative growth and fruiting. The optimum ratio root length/leaf canopy area of 2.3 km m-2 was found for the six-year-old tree indicating good equilibrium between the above and underground parts. The mathematical model developed on the basis of canopy cover and root extension allows precise esti- mation of water needs taking into account the actual root surface. However, while the canopy cover measurement was relatively easy to carry out, it was much more difficult to determine the surface covered by the root system. Results obtained in the present work also show an over-estimation of water needs when the FAO method is adopted to estimate the evapotranspiration of young trees.