A model to account for variations in holm-oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) acorn production in southern Spain
Autor
García-Mozo, H.
Domínguez Vilches, E.
Galán, Carmen
Editor
Institute of Agricultural MedicineFecha
2012Materia
Acorn productionPollen
Oak forest
Holm oak
Quercus ilex subsp. ballota
Aerobiology
Phenology
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One of the characteristics of holm-oak acorn production is its high variability among individuals and years. To examine
the main causes of this fact, a study was conducted from 1998-2010 in a natural area of holm-oak in southern Spain, where
floral phenology, fruit production, fruit size, airborne pollen emission and meteorology factors were analyzed with the
ultimate aim of developing a model for forecasting holm-oak yield. Pollen emission during flowering season was the main
factor determining the final acorn harvest, but also some meteorological variables played an important role in explaining
acorn crop variations, especially humidity and temperature during the months of April and September. The reliability of the
proposed model was externally validated using data not included in its construction; validation yielded acceptable results,
with a minimum error of estimation. Our results appear to be very useful for planning cropping and pig feeding strategies.
Further research could extend the use of airborne pollen counts in forest studies relating to anemophilous species, in order
to optimize agricultural policies