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