Trunk Circumference Research Articles

Drought effects on water relations in beech: The contribution of exchangeable water reservoirs

The exceptional soil drought and heat wave that occurred in Europe in summer 2003 provided a good opportunity to analyze the response of forest ecosystems to extreme climatic conditions. This work aimed at studying the functioning of exchangeable water reservoirs of beech trees under climatic and edaphic constraints, in a 37-year-old beech stand located in north-eastern France. We characterised the impact of drought on seasonal variations in water fluxes at the tree (sap flow measurements) and the forest (eddy covariance measurements) scales and estimated (i) the daily water storage capacity of beech trees as the difference between stand-scaled sap flow and water vapour flux over the stand and (ii) the contribution of exchangeable water in tree reservoirs to the total tree transpiration, under non-limiting soil water (summer 2002) or severe soil drought conditions (summer 2003). In parallel, daily variations in trunk circumference were analyzed to estimate the contribution of elastic tissues as a compartment for water storage to tree transpiration. Stand transpiration was strongly reduced by soil water shortage (up to 80% at the peak of drought in August 2003). From the beginning of August 2003, we observed daytime contraction of stem circumference, with only partial, or even no night recovery, suggesting that trees were less and less able to refill the elastic and strongly depleted reservoirs. Even if those elastic reservoirs were active throughout the season, the corresponding volume of water withdrawn for tree transpiration remained very low (maximum 1% of the daily transpiration). Thus, elastic tissue reservoirs play a minor role in the total water budget of beech trees. The amount of water depleted daily from the whole reservoirs was much higher than the water extracted from elastic tissues. Furthermore, the contribution of total exchangeable water within trees to the transpiration stream increased during the dry period (from a few percent to 67% at the peak of the drought) and was positively correlated with soil water shortage. Our results thus clearly demonstrated the strong sensitivity of beech to both climate and drought and the major role of whole tree water reservoirs to maintain leaf transpiration under severe drought.

Upper trunk fat assessment and its relationship with metabolic and biochemical variables and body fat in polycystic ovary syndrome

Fat accumulation in the upper region of the body is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is associated with metabolic complications. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between trunk circumference, metabolic indicators, and abdominal and visceral fat in obese PCOS women. The weight, fat mass, and subcutaneous arm fat (SAF) of 30 obese PCOS women and 15 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Trunk (TrC), neck (NC) and hip circumferences were measured, and the trunk/hip (Tr/H) ratio was determined. Total abdominal fat (TAF), visceral fat (VF) and trunk fat (TrF) were determined by computed tomography. Biochemical evaluation included glycaemia, insulinaemia, testosterone and lipid profile, insulin resistance (IR) was assessed by the QUICKI index. In the PCOS group, there were positive correlations between NC and TAF (r = 0.49, P < 0.0006), TrC and VF (r = 0.62, P = 0.01), and NC and VF (r = 0.70, P < 0.0002). There was good correlation between TrC and TrF (r = 0.69, P = 0.003). TrF correlated with triglycerides levels positively (r = 0.44, P = 0.02). Women with PCOS and IR had a larger quantity of VF and TrF, but a smaller amount of SAF. Within the PCOS group, women with Tr/H ratio above the median had higher basal insulin levels and lower QUICKI indices compared to women presenting a Tr/H ratio below the median. TrC is associated with important metabolic variables in PCOS, proving to be a valuable and innovative tool for assessment of body adiposity distribution in obese PCOS women.

千里ニュータウン集合住宅団地内に現存する樹木の樹形と立地との関連

Through the development process of collective housing sites in Senri New Town, planted areas in residential lots havebeen established as a component of natural and artificial environment of the area. Facing a challenge of restoring old collectivehousings, we intended to clarify characteristics of existing arbores in collective housing sites developed by Japan HousingCorporation. Applying data of tree height, branch spread, and trunk circumference, the characteristics of tree figure and itschanges were investigated by comparison of arboreal vegetation of two selected sites. Not only layout of buildings and open spaces but also maintenance practice of vegetation critically affected figures and growth of the trees. Among the findings, it wasnoted that development process, land formation in particular, of housing lot also affected their growth. In terms of decisionmaking on whether to conserve or transplant existing trees in restoration procedure, significance of those trees on the site shouldbe reorganized through evaluation on trees themselves, context of landscape and development process by revealing archivalrecords. Updating the records is also important to inherit the values of open spaces in collective housing sites as naturalenvironmental structure.

Development of Tree Vigor Prediction Method at an Early Stage Based on Stem Hydraulic Conductance of Seedlings in Citrus Rootstocks

Assessment of the tree vigor of grafted rootstocks in citrus requires intense labor, a long period, and large fields because tree vigor is judged through cultivation tests with adult trees. We have developed a method to predict tree vigor at an early stage based on the stem hydraulic conductance of 5-month-old seedlings. We used 15 cultivars (strains), including 11 crossed strains, 3 cultivars of commonly used trifoliate orange (common type, ‘Pomeroy’, and ‘USDA’), and ‘Swingle citrumelo’. The growth characteristics of 7-year-old satsuma mandarin trees grafted onto those rootstocks were compared with those of 5-month-old rootstock seedlings. The results revealed a relatively high correlation (r2 = 0.633) between the trunk circumference of 7-year-old trees and the stem hydraulic conductance of seedlings, and furthermore, control cultivars existed approximately on that regression line. Therefore, it seems possible to predict tree vigor from the stem hydraulic conductance of seedlings in a very short period without using a large field and intense labor.

Dede Korkut monument oak (Quercus infectoria Olivier) (Kadıköy - Edremit – Balıkesir, Turkey)

Abstract An approximately 550 years old Cyprus oak (Quercus infectoria) with 10 m height and 6.80 m trunk circumference exists in Kadikoy town of Edremit district in Province of Balikesir. This oak tree is a valuable natural asset that has the characteristics of monument trees with its dimensional, historical, aesthetic and floristic aspects. This study was undertaken to identify the characteristics of the oak tree, to reveal the regional and national values it transmits and to provide research and conservation about this magnificent natural existence.

Florística e estrutura da vegetação arbustivo-arbórea das Areias Brancas do Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana/Sergipe, Brasil

The Serra de Itabaiana National Park is distinguished by its phytophysiognomic diversity, among which, a locally known as Areias Brancas (white sands), an open vegetation, ranging from herb-shrub to shrub-tree and classified by some authors as restinga or cerrado, depending on its size. Aiming to characterize and classify vegetational type were selected two sites in Areias Brancas of Serra de Itabaiana National Park and built a list following deposited material in the ASE Herbarium and additional sampling. To the phytosociological study it was used the wandering quarter method, sampling all individuals with trunk circumference (> 15 cm) at breast height (1.30 m). It was verified, at the Areias Brancas, the occurrence of 193 species belonging to 145 genera and 60 families that are mostly represented by herb and shrub species. It is noticeable the high number of species found in Areias Brancas when compared with studies conducted throughout the National Park. There are significant floristic similarity between sampling sites, but structurally the two areas should be considered as different sucessional faces, due to variations in density, height and dominance. Even with plant species in common, the Areias Brancas of the National Park can not be classified as restinga or cerrado for not having common origins for these formations. The Areias Brancas should be considered as an ecological refuge, an azonal vegetation derived from the special conditions of substrate formation.

Effect of AMF application on growth, productivity and susceptibility to Verticillium wilt of olives grown under desert conditions

The effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on olive (Olea europaea) growth and development was followed for 4 years after transplanting in irrigated commercial orchards under arid conditions. Sites I and II were irrigated with saline water (EC = 4.5 dS/m). In site I, the soil was infested with Verticillium dahliae and olive varieties ‘Picual’ (Verticillium susceptible) and ‘Barnea’ (relatively Verticillium tolerant) were tested. In site II, the soil was virgin soil (previously non-cultivated soil) and olive varieties ‘Souri’ and ‘Barnea’ were tested. Plants for all sites were inoculated in the nursery with Glomus intraradices alone or in a mixture with G. mosseae. Relative to non-inoculated trees, AMF colonization enhanced vegetative growth, expressed as tree height and trunk circumference, at all sites. At first commercial harvest, AMF-treated trees had higher fruit and oil yields than non-mycorrhitic controls. Under saline water irrigation, differences between inoculated and non-inoculated treatments were reduced in the slow-growing ‘Souri’ but remained apparent in the modern fast-growing ‘Barnea’. AMF colonization did not appear to improve tolerance of either ‘Picual’ or ‘Barnea’ to V. dahliae, and both were more susceptible than the non-inoculated controls. Thus inoculation of olive plants with AMF improves transplant growth and adaptation in arid areas during the first 3 years of growth and until the first commercial harvesting season.

Effect of dwarfing and semi dwarfing apple rootstocks on growth and productivity of selected apple cultivars

Fourteen clonal apple rootstocks (M.9, M.26, M.27, MM.106, J-TE-E, J-TE-F, J-TE-G, J-TE-H, J-OH-A, Jork 9, Pajam 1, Pajam 2, Burgmer M.9-751, and Burgmer M.9-984) were tested in two experimental orchards established in the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy using scion cultivars Golden Delicious, Melrose, Jonagold, Rubin, and Florina. Following characteristics were recorded: yield, trunk circumference, suckering. Rootstocks Jork 9, Pajam 1, Pajam 2, M.9-751, and M.9-984 produced better results than original rootstock M.9. Clone J-TE-E favourably affected fruit-bearing of the Rubin cultivar. The growth vigour of trees grafted on Pajam 2, M.9-751, and M.9-984 was somewhat larger than those on M.9. Rootstock J-TE-H was semi-vigorous and grafted trees had low yield efficiency. Clone Pajam 1 had the similar growth vigour as M.9. Trees on Jork 9 grew significantly weakly in comparison with M.9. The rootstocks J-OH-A and J-TE-F produced a lot of suckers. The following rootstocks were recommended for growing in commercial plantations: Jork 9, Pajam 1, Pajam 2, M.9-751, and M.9-984.

Impact of season, stem diameter and intensity of debarking on survival and bark re-growth pattern of medicinal tree species, Benin, West Africa

Bark is a greatly coveted non-timber forest product (NTFP). Its overexploitation from medicinal tree species threatens an essential source of medication for rural populations. Despite the relevance of bark, not much information is available on the ecological impact of bark harvesting. In Benin, West Africa, we investigated how various harvesting techniques affect the bark re-growth of 12 tree species and the survival of debarked trees. Trees were debarked following a combination of three factors: (i) season of bark harvesting (dry or rainy season), (ii) size class of the tree (three stem diameter classes) and (iii) intensity of debarking (seven different percentages of trunk circumference debarked). Measurements of edge growth and survival were taken every 6 months during 2 years. Ring-barking (100% of trunk circumference debarked) did not allow the sustainable exploitation of any species, while all trees with 75% of debarked circumference remained alive and produced edge growth. Whatever the bark harvesting technique, 5 out of the 12 species had a bark recovery rate below 1 cm/year, rendering the wound closure very unlikely. On the other hand, five species showed good to very good bark recovery rates (>7 cm/year) and for these species the combination of debarking factors (season, dbh and intensity) allowing the highest edge growth was determined. This experimental bark stripping revealed the complexities involved in decision-making for sustainable tree management. Studying the patterns of bark recovery rates provides a relevant tool to assess for each species the delay for achieving closure of a specific wound area.

Estrutura populacional de Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (Clusiaceae) no Parque Nacional Serra de Itabaiana, Estado do Sergipe

Studies on structure, size and ontogenic stages are important to understand which factors influence population processes, regeneration and response to disturbances of a population. This study examined the structure of a population of Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (Clusiaceae) in white sands habitat of Serra de Itabaiana, Sergipe State. Thirty 20 x 25 m plots were selected randomly selected, and their abundance of young and adult plants was recorded, as well as trunk circumference, crown height and number of stems per plant. The spatial distribution of young and adult population is aggregated, caused by their predisposition to form groups in localities with large availability of resources and favorable conditions. Another factor contributing to the aggregation is the anemochoric dispersion of the species. The study population had the highest number of individuals in lower classes of height, with few individuals in larger classes, indicating that the population is growing or in a process of self-regeneration. There are more individuals 2-3 meters high, due to burning or cutting. These events were not able to stop the recruitment process or reproduction of the species in the area, as observed by the lack of gaps in the classes of stem diameter.

Seasonal variation in atmospheric relative humidity contributes to explaining seasonal variation in trunk circumference of tropical rain-forest trees in French Guiana

Abstract:Large seasonal variation in the rate of change in girth of tropical rain-forest tree species has been described, but its origin is still under debate. We tested whether this variation might be related to variation in atmospheric relative humidity through its influence on bark water content and thickness. Variation in trunk circumference of 182 adult trees was measured about twice a month in an undisturbed tropical rain forest over 18 mo using dendrometers. Furthermore, a laboratory experiment was conducted to test the direct influence of relative air humidity on bark water content and thickness. In the field, most trees displayed highly positive rates of change in girth at the onset of the wet season, while a quarter of the trees displayed negative changes during long dry seasons, whatever their total annual growth. This variation was correlated with environmental conditions, particularly with atmospheric relative humidity. Trees with high bark water content and thickness displayed a stronger decrease in girth during the dry season. In the chamber experiment, desiccation induced a decrease in the diameter of the trunk sections in tandem with a decrease in bark water content. As a result, seasonal variation in the rate of change in girth of tropical rain-forest trees reflects variation in trunk biophysical properties, through the influence of relative humidity on bark properties, but not directly variation in secondary growth.

CRESCIMENTO E PRODUÇÃO DE COQUEIRO ANÃO VERDE FERTIRRIGADO COM NITROGÊNIO E POTÁSSIO

A deficiência de nitrogênio e potássio na fase inicial do desenvolvimento do coqueiro poderá prejudicar a fisiologia da planta diminuindo a produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a aplicação de nitrogênio e de potássio, via fertirrigação, sobre o desenvolvimento vegetativo, aos três anos, e a produção do coqueiro anão verde, aos quatro anos de idade, cultivado em Neossolo quartzârenico. O trabalho foi realizado em plantação comercial do coqueiro anão verde do Jiqui, no município de Paracuru (CE). O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com 10 tratamentos consistindo de cinco doses de nitrogênio e potássio, combinadas, de acordo com modelo da matriz experimental Plan Puebla III. Foram avaliadas a cada três meses as seguintes características: altura da planta, circunferência do coleto, número de folhas, número de folíolos na folha 3, aos três anos de idade e número de cachos por planta (ncp), número de frutos por planta, massa do fruto, circunferências do fruto (equatorial e polar), volume de água do fruto, sólidos solúveis totais, com quatro anos de idade. As doses de N e K aplicadas no solo não afetaram o número de cachos. O aumento do N proporcionou um crescimento linear nas variáveis altura, circunferência do coleto, número de folhes e número de folíolos na folha 3. As maiores doses de N promoveram a diminuição das variáveis de produção com exceção do sólidos solúveis totais. As maiores doses de K2O resultaram em um aumento do número de frutos por planta e sólidos solúveis totais.

EFFECT OF PRUNING TIME AND SEVERITY ON THE GROWTH OF 'CHANDLER' AND 'LARA' TREES IN TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

To improve the growth of young, non-bearing walnut trees, pruning trials were conducted over three years using ‘Lara’ and ‘Chandler’ cultivars in a Juglans regia orchard located in Tasmania, Australia. Pruning was conducted at either dormancy or bud-swell in 2005-06 and 2006-07; all treatments were pruned during dormancy in 2007-08. In 2005-06, mean tree height and trunk circumference of dormant pruned ‘Lara’ trees increased by 38 cm and 3.3 cm, respectively; mean growth in bud-swell pruned trees was less at 30 cm (height) and 2.8 cm (circumference). Severe frosts and drought in 2006-07 reduced tree growth significantly. Pruning severity treatments were applied as a sub-plot to pruning time: ‘head’ pruning removed at least half the previous years’ shoot growth down to the growth of a circular solid stem, whereas ‘tip’ pruning removed only one quarter of the previous years shoot growth. Tip-pruned treatments included the removal of necked buds for 10 cm or 30 cm, below the apical bud, or non-removal of necked buds. In all years, the head-pruned trees had significantly greater shoot growth after pruning than tip pruned trees, resulting in no significant difference between treatments in tree height at the end of the growing year in 2005-06 and 2007-08. The removal of necked buds below the apical bud did not increase the growth of shoots in comparison to non-removal.

Influence of structural habitat use on the thermal ecology of Gonatodes humeralis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a transitional forest in Maranhão, Brazil

We studied the structural habitat use and the thermal ecology of Gonatodes humeralis (Guichenot, 1855) in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil, to examine intersexual differences in the use of perch features and to simultaneously analyze reciprocal differences on thermal ecology between the sexes. Gonatodes humeralis body temperature was strongly correlated with environmental temperatures (air and substrate), but air temperature had an additional effect on the males' body temperatures after removing the effect of the substrate temperature. Males and females differed significantly in perch height use above ground (males perched higher) but the sexes did not differ in the trunk perimeter used. Gonatodes humeralis tended to use the larger tree trunks available in its environment and selected trunks with deeper leaf litter at the base. It is hypothesized that choosing tree trunks with deeper leaf litter is a defensive behavior against predation.

A segmentation algorithm for the delineation of agricultural management zones

In this paper we present a segmentation algorithm, inspired from an image-processing region-merging algorithm, for the delineation of discrete contiguous management zones in agriculture. The algorithm is unique in that it is applicable to high- or low-density irregular data sets, such as yield data. The algorithm is described and a brief example presented using unprocessed sensor-derived grain yield data. A comparison between the segmentation algorithm and a common classification algorithm ( k-means clustering) was done using an aerial normalised differences vegetation index (NDVI) image collected on a 200 ha vineyard in Olite, Southern Navarre, Spain. Classification was performed as a univariate (NDVI) analysis and a spatially constrained analysis. Segmentation and classification were run to find 2, 4, 6, …, 24 levels and the effectiveness of the outputs determined by how well it explained the variance in vine trunk circumference, a correlated but independent measurement. The results obtained demonstrated that for a given number of manageable (effective) zones the segmentation outputs were equivalent or superior to the classification outputs for partitioning vine circumference variance. The segmentation output also generated more coherent management units that should facilitate differential management. The algorithm presented is a first generation segmentation algorithm and several aspects still need to be developed, in particular methods for eliminating edge effects and converting management zones into management (treatment) classes. The results of the segmentation algorithm presented here would indicate that with further development, segmentation might provide an alternative and possibly preferable approach to delineating management zones.

Planting of different-sized tree transplants on arable soil

Abstract On the arable land of the Rosovka Stream alluvium in the Czech Republic, a windbreak containing native woody species, was planted within a restoration project. This study evaluates the effect of that planting of three different tree sizes, on the rate of growth. The sizes of transplants employed in this study included small (1.0–1.5 meters tall), medium-sized (2.0–2.5 meters tall) and large (with a trunk circumference of 0.1–0.12 meters). The following native tree species, from the Eurosiberian region, were used: Quercus robur L., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Acer campestre L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Tilia cordata Mill., and Prunus avium L. Growth rates were monitored over a five-year period. Small transplants had the highest growth; they grew approximately 0.4 meters more than transplants from the other size categories. Our results show that the selection of the size of transplant has a significant impact on development and growth. However, differences in the post-transplant responses of individual species were found.

Tree and fruit traits of progenies from the cross between (Annona cherimola Mill. × A. squamosa L.) × A. reticulata L. and approaches for the introgression of valuable genes from A. reticulata L.

Annona reticulata L. possesses many traits desirable in other edible annonas, and hybridization is the simplest means to combine desirable features of related species. In this study, A. reticulata was hybridized with atemoya (A. cherimola Mill. × A. squamosa L.), and 250 trispecies hybrids were studied for 28 traits (12 tree traits and 16 fruit traits) with the objective of salvaging useful genes from the three edible annonas and determining the extent of variation in the progeny. The heterozygous nature of Annona spp. and simultaneous segregation of three distant genomes resulted in a tremendous heterogeneity in the progenies. The fitness of the progenies ranged from very vigorous to very weak, with a wide range of values for tree height (1.75–5.9 m), canopy spread (1.15–5.07 m) and trunk circumference (11–38.5 cm). The occurrence of diverse and novel segregants for tree shape and branching pattern suggested the possibility of identifying efficient ideotypes. Variation in fruit shape, skin colour and skin surface in addition to wide range of values for total soluble solids (17–32°B), acidity (0.16–2.2%) and number of seeds per/100 g fruit (3–49) showed that exciting opportunities existed in terms of selecting for desirable traits. Among the segregating population were slow-fruit-ripening genotypes that required up to 12 days from harvesting to ripening. Interestingly, some recombinants produced fruits resembling A. glabra and A. muricata fruits, suggesting that one or the other parental species of the trihybrid could be progenitor of these two non-parental species. These results demonstrate that A. reticulata is potentially a valuable source of a variety of novel traits. However, the F1 trihybrids exhibited reduced fertility with pronounced undesirable traits of A. reticulata, and the survival of F2 trees was poor, with those that did survive being extremely weak and failing to flower or set fruit. Consequently, backcrossing may be more suitable approach than advancing trihybrid generation for transferring desirable genes from A. reticulata. Backcrossing F1 progeny of [(A. cherimola × A. squamosa) × A. reticulata] to A. squamosa, a highly fertile species, is expected to yield productive introgressants in which the contribution of the A. squamosa genome will be extended from 25 to 62.5% in the F1BC1 generation. The genetics is described herein based on the expressions of certain tree and fruit traits in the progeny.

Effects of oviposition by periodical cicadas on tree growth

Periodical cicadas ( Magicicada spp.) occur at very high densities and synchronously emerge from underground every 13 or 17 years. During the emergence, adults lay eggs in tree branches, causing significant damage; however, the long-term impact of this damage is unknown. We conducted two large-scale field studies during the 2004 emergence of one brood (Brood X) to measure the growth of trees in relation to oviposition damage by periodical cicadas. In the first experiment, we netted areas to exclude cicadas from plots in 15 early successional forests and then measured trunk circumference for 3 years on more than 4000 trees of 52 species. In this experiment, oviposition had no detectable effect on the growth rates of trees. In the second study, we measured oviposition on 12 common tree species across six sites. We then measured the annual growth rings of these trees for 3 years after the emergence. In this experiment, oviposition was correlated with a slightly reduced growth in the emergence year and following year when the data were analyzed together, but when tree species were examined individually there were no clear effects of oviposition on tree growth. These data suggest cicada oviposition has little effect on the radial growth of trees, particularly in comparison to other factors.

Ethnic differences in body composition and anthropometric characteristics in Australian Caucasian and urban Indigenous children

The objective was to compare ethnic differences in anthropometry, including size, proportions and fat distribution, and body composition in a cohort of seventy Caucasian (forty-four boys, twenty-six girls) and seventy-four urban Indigenous (thirty-six boys, thirty-eight girls) children (aged 9-15 years). Anthropometric measures (stature, body mass, eight skinfolds, thirteen girths, six bone lengths and five bone breadths) and body composition assessment using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were conducted. Body composition variables including total body fat percentage and percentage abdominal fat were determined and together with anthropometric indices, including BMI (kg/m2), abdominal:height ratio (AHtR) and sum of skinfolds, ethnic differences were compared for each sex. After adjustment for age, Indigenous girls showed significantly (P < 0.05) greater trunk circumferences and proportion of overweight and obesity than their Caucasian counterparts. In addition, Indigenous children had a significantly greater proportion (P < 0.05) of trunk fat. The best model for total and android fat prediction included sum of skinfolds and age in both sexes (>93 % of variation). Ethnicity was only important in girls where abdominal circumference and AHtR were included and Indigenous girls showed significantly (P < 0.05) smaller total/android fat deposition than Caucasian girls at the given abdominal circumference or AHtR values. Differences in anthropometric and fat distribution patterns in Caucasian and Indigenous children may justify the need for more appropriate screening criteria for obesity in Australian children relevant to ethnic origin.

Plant-soil interactions in a fertigated ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ olive orchard

Main processes governing the plant-soil interactions in adult olive (Olea europaea L.) trees under fertigation were studied to better understand the response of the trees to this agricultural practice widely used in new olive orchards. Our final objective was to obtain soundly based scientific evidences for a rational choice of the fertilizer dose. Measurements were made in a ‘Manzanilla de Sevilla’ olive orchard in which 200 g N, 400 g N and 600 g N per tree and irrigation period (T200, T400 and T600, respectively) of a 4N-1P-3K fertilizer were applied by fertigation for 5 years (1999–2003); a control treatment (unfertilized) was also established. Four years after the start of the experiment mean values of soil P and K concentrations were greater in the fertigation treatments than in the control. For K, concentrations increased with fertilizer dose. The profile of NO3-N, P and K concentrations within the irrigation wetted zone was studied in 2003; in the top soil layer, the concentrations of the three elements increased with fertilizer dose, generally showing linear responses to the different doses; in deeper soil layers, concentrations also increased with fertigation, but to a lesser extent; the concentrations of NO3-N, P and K recorded at 0.8–0.9 m depth in the soil of T600, together with observations of root distribution, were enough to suggest leaching losses and possible groundwater contamination. As a consequence of the higher soil nutrient availability, leaf N, P and K increased generally with dose. Leaf N deficiencies and low, but not deficient, leaf K levels were found in control trees in 2002 and 2003, as well as in T200 trees in 2003. Differences between treatments in shoot length, trunk circumference and canopy volume were not significant, for any studied year. Nevertheless, between February 1999 and November 2003 there was a significant increase in canopy volume with fertilizer dose. In 2003, fruit yield increased with fertilizer dose, as a consequence of an increase both in fruit number and weight. Cumulative yield for the experimental period also increased with fertilizer dose. These results are further evidence to confirm previous research made with the same experimental set-up: T400 for oil quality and T600 for table olive quality seem to be the most appropriate treatments, although there is a risk for leaching losses and the possibility of groundwater contamination with T600.