Guiping Zhang , Wei Wang

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Biological Evidence, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 1   
Received: 01 Jan., 2026    Accepted: 30 Jan., 2026    Published: 27 Feb., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study analyzes the mechanisms by which different planting densities affect citrus yield and tree vigor, and compares low-, medium-, and high-density cultivation systems in terms of yield formation, tree structure, and resource use efficiency. Increasing planting density can significantly improve early yield per unit area and accelerate canopy closure and light interception efficiency. However, it also reduces yield per tree and intensifies competition for light, water, and nutrients, which may lead to excessive canopy shading, increased pests and diseases, and a decline in long-term productivity. In long-term production, medium-density systems often perform better in terms of yield stability and economic returns. Rootstock type and cultivar characteristics play a decisive role in adaptability to dense planting. Dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks can effectively control tree vigor and improve fruiting efficiency, serving as an important foundation for high-density cultivation. Proper pruning, water and fertilizer management, and mechanization support can help mitigate the negative effects of high-density planting. In the future, combining precision agriculture technologies with breeding innovations will enable dynamic optimization of planting density and sustainable orchard design.

Planting density; Citrus; Yield formation; Tree vigor regulation; High-density cultivation