Spatial Prediction Model of Plant Water Status of an Olive Orchard (Olea europaea L.) cv. Arbequina Under Semiarid Conditions in the Central Valley of Chile

The Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a typical fruit tree of Mediterranean areas characterized by high-quality oil production and high tolerance to water deficit. Due worldwide scarcity in regions, it becomes indispensable monitor plant status, example, through xylem potential (Ψx). Unfortunately, measurement difficult perform with spatial resolution at field scale (> 50 measurements per hectare), due the large amount manpower required prosses which turned this technique into high-cost solution. This situation drastically hinders its applicability areas. Thus, objective research implementing prediction model status an olive orchard, using single Ψx performed reference site over orchard. experimental was established 2.2 hectares commercial trees Pencahue valley located Maule region (Chile) during 2013/14 growing season. Measurements were key phenological stages trees. proposed methodology allowed estimate behavior unsampled from measurements, average error less than ±0.6 MPa correlation 0.8 (R2) ratifying dependence between different sites sampled scale. Therefore, distribution variability would be adequate for application irrigation homogeneous management zones, facilitating practices clearly identified zones within orchard under study.