Resumen

MATEUS-CAGUA, Diana  y  ORDUZ-RODRIGUEZ, Javier O.. The effect of planting distance on ‘Valencia’ orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) vegetative yield and growth in humid low tropical regions of Colombia. Orinoquia [online]. 2016, vol.20, n.1, pp.19-27. ISSN 0121-3709.

Citric plants reach greater growth rates and size in humid low tropical conditions than in all other citrus growing in regions worldwide due to the high heat unit accumulation during the year and rainfall than 2,800 mm/year, favouring photosynthetic rates and the continuous growth of plants, thereby determining planting distances. Some characteristics on vegetative cycle and reproductive aspects an experimental lot planted with ‘Valencia’ orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) grafted onto Cleopatra tangerine (Citrus reshni Hort ex Tan) was evaluated on high terrace oxisol soils from the piedmont of the Meta department (low tropical region in Colombia), with 3 distances between rows (8, 7 and 6 m) and 2 distances between plants (5 and 4 m). Planting distance had the greatest influence on vegetative and productive behaviour; less distance between plants (4 m) led to lower yields, thereby affecting treatment profitability. Distance of 4 m between plants provided the greatest competition and a 5 m distance to a lesser extent. The 6 x 5 m interaction led to the greatest production and highest profitability rates. Increased planting density regarding citric crops in low tropical conditions must be accompanied by using patterns which induce medium- to low sized plants thereby increasing planting density for to ‘Valencia’ orange crops.

Palabras clave : The piedmont of Colombia’s eastern plains; oxisol soil; profitability; internal rate of return (IRR).

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