Adaptation of two citrus cultivars, Valencia Delta Seedless (VDS) and Valencia Late Frost (VLF) grafted on Forner Alcaide nº 517, to super high-density groves with mechanical harvesting was evaluated in southwest of Spain. Regarding to crop development, both cultivars showed a similar behavior regard to tree growth, good affinity with the rootstock and chlorophyll content in leaf (SPAD units). However, differences were obtained in phenological development and internal quality of the fruit. So, VDS showed a more advanced phenology, while VLF obtained a better-quality juice: higher titratable acidity content with a lower maturity index. On the other hand, it was identified a great potential of the mechanical harvesting in both cultivars, with significant fruit detachment percentages (about 90% or more) and above 8 kg of fruit retention force (FRF). However, VDS obtained a better response to the harvesting equipment evaluated (New Holland BRAUD 9090X DUAL, over-row continuous canopy shaking harvester). So, VDS recorded higher fruit detachment percentages (95-100%) as well as lower levels of physiological and physical damage. Finally, the differences between cultivars, both efficiency of the fruit detachment and tree damage could respond to differences in the structure of the tree and rigidity of the branches. Index terms: super-intensive, dwarfing citrus rootstocks, harvesting efficiency, tree damage, alteration fruits. Adaptação de duas cultivares de citros enxertadas em Forner Alcaide Nº 517 em sistema de plantio super-adensado e avaliação da colheita mecanizada RESUMOA adaptação de duas cultivares de citros, Valencia Delta Seedless (VDS) e Valencia Late Frost (VLF) enxertadas em Forner Alcaide nº 517, foi avaliada em pomares com alta densidade de plantio e colheita mecânica, no sudoeste da Espanha. Em relação ao desenvolvimento das culturas, ambas as cultivares apresentaram comportamento semelhante em relação ao crescimento da planta, boa afinidade com o porta-enxerto e bom conteúdo de clorofila na folha (unidades SPAD). Entretanto, foram obtidas diferenças no desenvolvimento fenológico e na qualidade interna da fruta.

No abstract