Light Quality Environment and Photomorphological Responses of Young Olive Trees

Tree densities have increased greatly in olive orchards over the last few decades. In many annual crop species, density reduces horizontal red/far-red (R/FR) and blue/green (B/G) ratios during canopy development even before direct shading occurs, such changes are known to alter plant morphology. This study with trees evaluated: (1) whether leaf area index (LAI) of neighboring modifies light quality environment prior a tree being directly shaded (2) potential morphological responses three cultivars quality. Increasing LAI using different spatial arrangements potted, three-year-old reduced R/FR ratio more than that B/G ratio. Cultivar-specific low were observed for individual aboveground/belowground biomass laterally positioned FR mirrors or green fences. No statistically significant detected response vegetation fences both ratios, but cluster analysis grouped together overall These results suggest cultivar differences may be relevant understanding adaptation dense identifying best suited them.