Abstract

Tree survival, early fruit production, vegetative growth and alternate bearing were examined in six different olive cultivars (Barnea, Biancolilla, Coratina, Empeltre, Koroneiki and Leccino) under intensive agronomic conditions in southern Atacama Desert, in the Coquimbo Region of Chile. The cultivars were evaluated over four successive years and had a high survival rate (93%) confirming their potential for these dry-lands. Fruit production (recorded over the growing seasons 2002-2003), vegetative growth (2000-2003) and alternate bearing differed significantly among cultivars. Olive selection in intensively managed planting at the southern part of the Atacama Desert depends on matching specific cultivars to sites on which they perform the best.