Economic and Financial Evaluation of Cork Oaks Forest Plantations Under Fertirrigation

Abstract

Cork oaks usually become productive after 20 years of age. To shorten this period, fertirrigation has been tested to enhance tree vitality and growth, thus anticipating cork stripping. This study aims to determine the economic and financial indicators of this afforestation technique compared to rainfed indicators. Simulations were conducted based on information gathered from fertirrigated and rainfed stands, assuming 4 × 4m tree spacing and good site quality. Various net cork renevues, initiation, and maintenance costs were tested. Fertirrigation was more profitable in most combinations, except for the most expensive one when net cork value was low. In other scenarios, fertirrigation was advantageous as it reduced time to the first cork stripping to 12 years since planting and increased tree growth and productivity. Fertirrigation can be discontinued when cork productivity reaches 300 @ (4500 kg)/ha, with no potential advantage in maintaining fertirrigation beyond that point.