DETERMINATION OF OPTIMUM POT VOLUME FOR NURSERY PRODUCTION OF OLIVE TREES

In 1987 50 rooted cuttings of olive trees, cv Frantoio, were put in pots of different sizes (0.38 1; 0.8 1; 2.7 1; 3.4 1 and 6.5 1) with 1/3 peat and 2/3 pozzuolana, fertilized with 1 kg of ‘Osmocote’, a slow-release N-P-K fertilizer. In November 1987 height was greatest in plants grown in the 2.7–1 pots, while the diameter was greatest in 6.5–1 pots, but no statistically significant differences were determined between 3.4–1 land 2.7–1 pots. At the same time, the plants were repotted using the same soil mixture in pots of the next larger size, thus eliminating 0.38–1 pots and introducing 11–1 pots. In November 1988, the tallest plants were recorded in 3.4-, 6.5- and 11–1 pots without statistically significant differences between them, while trunk diameter increased with pot volume. The fresh and dry weights of the plants and of their parts increased with pot volume.