Recommended Application in Olives
BACKGROUND
The olive tree is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8–15 metres (26–49 ft) in height. The silvery green leaves are oblong in shape, measuring 4–10 centimetres (1.6–3.9 in) long and 1–3 centimetres (0.39–1.2 in) wide. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted.
Olives are now cultivated in many regions of the world with Mediterranean climates, such as South Africa, Chile, Peru, Australia, the Mediterranean Basin, Israel and California and in areas with temperate climates such as New Zealand, under irrigation in the Cuyo region in Argentina which has a desert climate. They are also grown in the Córdoba Province, Argentina, which has a temperate climate with rainy summers and dry winters.
Olives are one of the most extensively cultivated fruit crops in the world. In 2009 there were 9.9 million hectares planted with olive trees, which is more than twice the amount of land devoted to apples, bananas or mangoes. Only coconut trees and oil palms command more space. Cultivation area tripled from 2,600,000 to 8,500,000 hectares (6,400,000 to 21,000,000 acres) between 1960 and 2004 and in 2008 reached 10.8 mln Ha. The ten largest producing countries, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, are all located in the Mediterranean region and produce 95% of the world's olives.
PYHTOMONITORING IN OLIVES
Phytomonitoring can obtain a continuous of observations data directly from the plant by means of sensors. Comparison of data from the plant with climatic and soil conditions allow more timely and reasonably adjust the irrigation schedule, determine the norm and watering intervals.
Recognition of the health qualities of olive oil has led to a dramatic increase in its global consumption. Introduction of irrigation and subsequent water and nutrient management are powerful methods for increasing yields and optimizing olive oil production. There is currently a substantial worldwide phenomenon of conversion of traditional rain-fed orchards to irrigation. However, current knowledge regarding the best practices for irrigation and fertigation of olives, especially regarding aspects of yield, oil quality and environmental pollution, is severely limited. Compared with other crops, olives are quite tolerant to low water availability. In other parts of the world, olive trees are often cultivated under rain conditions only.
The many countries olive industry has generally developed under irrigation, to ensure commercial production levels. However, some reduction in irrigation volume is often possible with relatively minor impacts on production, and quite large reductions are possible if the major aim is the survival of trees.
Read more... (Download PDF)