Abstract

This research was conducted under the hypothesis that District and Site—which formally describe geomorphological features (slope) and edaphic–environmental properties (texture, depth, and hydromorphism), respectively—play a decisive role in determining orchard development, productivity, economic efficiency, and environmental performance. The study was carried out in an organic, export-oriented apple orchard located in the municipality of Casablanca, Chile. Based on the Ecoregion Classification System, five zones with homogeneous District and Site characteristics were delineated. Within each zone, tree growth, measured as trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), and soil quality variables (percentage of water-stable aggregates and biological activity) were evaluated. Districts with steeper slopes exhibited lower tree growth, and growth differences were also detected among Sites, primarily associated with hydromorphic conditions. Similarly, soil biological activity was lower in the serrano (mountainous) District, with additional variation among Sites mainly related to hydromorphism and texture. An inverse relationship was observed between District and water-stable aggregate stability; in other words, steeper slopes exhibited greater aggregate stability, a pattern likely explained by more intensive tillage practices in the gentler-slope Districts. These findings indicate that the failure to account for geomorphological, edaphic–environmental, and historical management factors in the design of apple orchards may lead to spatial heterogeneity in orchard performance and efficiency.