Water Supply on Grafted Stone Pine: Effects on Growth and Mating

Neus Aletà (), Anna Teixidó, Joan Abel, Miquel Segarra and Ruth Sánchez-Bragado
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Neus Aletà: Fruit Tree Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Torre Marimon, 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
Anna Teixidó: Natural Areas and Green Infrastructure, Diputació de Barcelona (DiBa), Clock Building, Compte Urgell 187, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
Joan Abel: Multifuncional Forest Management Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre (CTFC), 25280 Solsona, Spain
Miquel Segarra: Forest Genetic Resources Area, Forestal Catalan (FC), 17451 Sant Feliu de Buixalleu, Spain
Ruth Sánchez-Bragado: Multifuncional Forest Management Program, Forest Science and Technology Centre (CTFC), 25280 Solsona, Spain

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: The pine nut, the seed of the stone pine, is highly valued in local cuisine and dietetics for its nutritional qualities. These nuts still come from forest stands, which results in their limited and irregular presence on the market. Domesticating the species through orchard management practices could increase its production. In this context, two irrigation schedules were tested in a grafted stone pine orchard that was planted in 2009 and has been under drip irrigation since 2011. Water needs were calculated weekly using the water balance method (ETc-P). The treatments considered were as follows: T 1 , irrigation from April to the end of summer; T 2 , irrigation from April to the end of June; and T 0 , rainfed as the control. Monitoring of the pines, considering vegetative and reproductive responses, was carried out from 2015 (7th leaf) to 2023. T 1 and T 2 increased primary and secondary growth and resulted in higher strobili production compared to T 0 . The tree’s ability to sustain the reproductive load was enhanced under irrigation versus rainfed treatment. The longest irrigation schedule increased productivity. However, when the environmental cost of supplying twice as much water in the Mediterranean region—an annual average of 900 m 3 ha −1 (T 2 ) versus 1900 m 3 ha −1 (T 1 )—is considered, the overall assessment changes. The irregularity of stone pine mating was not prevented by a regular water supply, but it was mitigated, promoting sustainable production.

Keywords: Pinus pinea; Pinus halepensis; sustainable irrigation; stand management; rootstocks; pine nut production (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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