Leaf area index and light distribution in olive tree canopies (Olea europaea L.)

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/05/2016
Views (366) Download (9)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Leaf area index and light distribution in olive tree canopies (Olea europaea L.)

Mouna Aïachi Mezghani, Gouta Hassouna, Laaribi Ibtissem, Foued Labidi
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res.8( 5), 60-65, May 2016.
Certificate: IJAAR 2016 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

The leaf area index (LAI) and the spatial leaf arrangements are the main factors which influenced the radiant energy distribution within the tree. The leaf area index has been shown to be an important factor of the olive productivity. Although, the photosynthetically active radiation intercepted by leaves (PAR) is the main environmental factor that determined the dry matter production, which is the main source of energy for the photosynthesis. Therefore, a commercial sensor for LAI determination (Sun scan DELTA-T Devices Ltd), was tested for olive trees, in an olive orchard located near Sousse, central Tunisia (36N, 10E). The plants were cultivated at 7m × 7m and trained on vase system. Measurements were made at two tree’s layers; on lower and upper part of the canopy and on the four cardinal directions (north, south, east and west). The results showed that the LAI was more important on the lower part of the canopy than on the upper one for all directions. LAI was also higher on South and East side of tree. The Incident Photosynthetically Active Radiation PARI, was quite constant for all directions. However, the transmitted fraction PART decreased inside the tree canopy. The lower part of the canopy was less shaded for the vase tree form. There is a significant negative relationship between LAI and ratio PART/PARI. These results will be the fundamental basis of the olive pruning basis and to establish new intensive olive orchards with fully developed canopies which intercepted the maximum solar radiation.

VIEWS 20

Aïachi Mezghani M. 2014. Olive Variety Suitability and Training System for Modern Olive Growing: Plant Growth and Yield Components. Editor: Antonella de Leonardis, Virgin Olive oil: Production, composition, uses and benefits for man, Chapter 7, p. 97-119.

Arias D, Calvo-Alvarado J, Dohrenbusch A. 2007. Calibration of LAI-2000 estimate leaf Area index (LAI) and assessment of its relationship with stand productivity in six native and introduced trees species in Costa Rica. Forest Ecology and Management 247, 185-193.

Asner GP, Scurlock JMO, Hicke JA. 2003. Global synthesis of leaf area index observations: implications for ecological and remote sensing studies. Global. Ecological Biogeography 12, 191-205.

Bongi G, Palliotti A. 1994. Olive. In. B Schaffer et PC Anderson (eds), Handbook of environmental physiology of fruit crop, CRC Press Inc, USA p. 165-182.

Bonhomme R, Chartier P. 1972. The interpretation and automatic measurement of hemispherical photographs to obtain sunlit foliage area and frequency. Israel Journal Agricultural Research 22, 53-61.

Cutini A, Matteucci G, Mugnozza GS. 1998. Estimation of leaf area index with the Li-Cor LAI 2000 in deciduous forests. Forest Ecological Management 105, 55-65.

Ganis A. 1997. Radiation transfer estimate in a row cannopy: a simple procedure. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 88, 67-76.

Pastor M, Humanes J. 1990. Plantation density experiments of non-irrigated olive groves in Andalucia. Acta horticulturae 286, 297-29.

Pastor M. 1983. Plantation density. Proceedings of International Course F.A.O. on fertilisation and intensification of olive cultivation, Cordoba, p. 160-176.

Pastor Munõz-Cobo M, Hidalgo Moya JC, Vega Macias V, Fereres Castieel E. 2006. Variabilidad agronomico y economico de las plantaciones superintensivas en Andalucia. Journées d’études relatives au développement de l’oléiculture à huile.

Mariscal MJ, Orgaz F, Villalobos FJ. 2000. Modelling and measurement of radiation interception by olive canopies. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 100, 183-197.

Tombesi A. 2006. Planting systems, canopy management and mechanical harvesting. In : Recent advances in olive industry, Special seminars and invited lectures. Olivebioteq, November 2006, Marsala, Mazara Del Vallo, Italy, Alcamo: Presso Campo pp. 307-316.

Villalobos FJ, Orgaz F, Mateos L. 1995. Non destructive measurement of leaf area in olive (Olea europaea L.) trees using a gap inversion method. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 73, 29-42.