Mixed Pyrus pyraster and Sorbus torminalis plantations including companion species enhance high-quality timber production

Wild pear (Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.) (P) and wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz) (S) are sporadic European tree species that are valued for their high-quality timber production. Although mixed plantations including companion species enhance timber quality of several trees, the performance of the association of P and S is not well known. The objective of this study was to assess growth and survival of P and S in pure plantations and in plantations mixed with other companion tree or shrub species in a non-native habitat. To answer the question of whether growth of these species is enhanced by mixtures, specific combinations of the main and companion species were established in central Chile and monitored for a 12-year period after planting. Besides each main species monoculture, five mixtures were tested: Mix1: P+S; Mix2: P+S+ the N-fixing tree Italian alder (Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby); and three associations of P and S including shrubs (Mix3: P+S+ Corylus avellana L., Mix4: P+S+ Sambucus ebulus L., and Mix5: P+S+ Sambucus nigra L.). Both P and S presented the highest height growth in Mix2, being 48.6% and 53.4% higher than in the monoculture, respectively. DBH growth was also enhanced in Mix2 for S. Wild service tree, which showed lower growth and survival than P, was more benefited from the mixture including Italian alder than P. Height growth, vigor and survival of the main species were highest in Mix2, even higher than in pure plantations and in Mix1 without companion species. Specific tree associations might increase the probability to obtain high-quality timber of noble species if a timely and adequate management of companion species is provided.Fil: Loewe Muñoz, V.. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Del Río, R.. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Delard, C.. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Balzarini, Monica Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Desarrollo Rural. Area de Estadística y Biometría; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola; Argentin

Mineral fertilization and irrigation effects on fruiting and growth in stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) crop

Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is a species of economic interest for its pine nuts. Despite this market, cones are harvested mostly from natural forests. Advances in semi-intensive or intensive management for cultivating it as a fruit tree have been scarce. Fruit development is characterized by a 3-year cycle since pollination to harvesting, making nutritional and hydric management highly challenging. Materials and methods -We studied the main and interaction effects of fertilization and irrigation on growth and fruiting by a factorial design laid out in an adult stone pine plantation located in central Chile. Results and discussion -Mineral fertilization had an effect one year later on height growth (+23.5% increase) and one-year-old conelet production (+82.3% increase). After two consecutive years of mineral fertilization, significant positive impacts on diameter growth, height growth and one-year-old conelet production were observed. Irrigation enhanced fruiting but did not impact growth significantly. The highest conelet number was observed in the fertilized and irrigated experimental plots. Conclusion -Both cultural practices, applied either individually or combined, are efficient techniques to enhance fruit production of the stone pine.Fil: Loewe, V.. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Alvarez, A.. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Balzarini, Monica Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Departamento de Desarrollo Rural. Area de Estadística y Biometría; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Delard, C.. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Navarro-Cerrillo, R.. Universidad de Córdoba; Españ

Dose mapping system based on optical stimulation Application to IORT

International audienc

Potential of southern Latin-American coastal areas for stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) cropping

Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) was introduced to Argentina and Chile approximately a century ago for several uses, mainly for dune stabilization, but not for pine nut production. Many plantations were established along the Mediterranean coastal area of both countries, where some areas have unproductive soils. The comparison of growth and fruit quality on stone pine in exotic and native environments is useful to gain insights on the potential crop areas outside the species native habitat. Accordingly, we provided a comparison of growth performance (diameter at breast height and height) and pine nut chemical composition among stone pine populations cultivated along coastal areas in Argentina and Chile. Results showed similar growth rates between countries, with these values being higher than values reported for coastal areas of Italy and Spain (native habitat), where thermal oscillations are lower and average temperatures are higher. Pine nut composition analyses highlighted an elevated high-quality fat and protein content. We conclude that stone pine could be cultivated in coastal areas of the Southern hemisphere, where the species grows vigorously and its pine nuts maintain the worldwide reported beneficial properties. The study provides information for improving forestry management in the tested areas.Fil: Loewe-Muñoz, Verónica. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Balzarini, Monica Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Fitopatología y Modelización Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Delard R., Claudia. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: del Rio M., Rodrigo. Chilean Forest Institute; ChileFil: Álvarez C., Andrea. Chilean Forest Institute; Chil

Quality control of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy with Optically Stimulated Luminescent films

International audienc