Olive tree – AZUD

Olive tree

About Olive Tree Cultivation

The olive tree is one of the oldest traditional crops in the Mediterranean region. The oil extracted from its fruit has been used for centuries as a food source and for applications such as a raw material for lighting and medicinal products.

The olive grove’s current status is exceptional due to high demand and profitability, thanks to a successful food campaign highlighting its therapeutic and nutritional properties. It has a promising future and a growing cultivation area. Spain and Italy are the world’s leading producers, followed by Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia.

It requires few hours of cold and many hours of heat for its development (3–4 months elapse between budbreak and flowering, and 6–7 months from flowering to harvest). The most severe weather conditions are dry winds and high temperatures during flowering, which cause widespread ovary abortion, leading to reduced production.

It is resistant to calcareous soils, although there are varietal differences (the Hojiblanca variety performs very well). It is highly tolerant of Salinity. It is a light-loving plant; thus, a lack of light reduces flower formation or causes the flowers to be non-viable due to insufficient assimilates in the leaf axils.

Variety of Olive Tree Irrigation Systems

Traditionally, unnecessarily wide planting patterns have been used; the average planting density used to be 72 trees per hectare, although values of 312 trees per hectare are now recommended, reaching up to 400 in irrigated systems. In rainfed systems, the density should not exceed 300 trees per hectare. Planting patterns are rectangular, measuring 7 X 5 or 6 X 4.

Yields increase with irrigation, as irrigation becomes necessary when rainfall falls below 800 mm; the most suitable system is localized drip irrigation at a rate of 1,800–1,900 liters per tree per year, distributed during the months of April, May, June, July, August, and September at a rate of 100 liters per tree per day.

Another, perhaps more effective alternative is to concentrate irrigation during the hottest months, resulting in 70 liters per day per tree in April, 90 liters per day per tree in May, 110 liters per day per tree in June, 130 liters per day per tree in July, 110 liters per day per tree in August, and 90 liters per day per tree in September.

Comprehensive, customized irrigation solutions for your olive grove

Selection of emitter dripline: A wide range of options ensures the selection of the most appropriate emitter dripline. The combination of emitter model, flow rate per emitter, and spacing between emitters not only ensures the delivery of the water rates specified in the irrigation strategy but also guarantees a large volume of moist soil available for root development in both surface drip irrigation and subsurface drip irrigation.

Digital Farming: Along with the proper selection of dripline tubing, the use of AZUD QGROW equipment for the precise management of water and nutrient inputs, using data from soil, plant, and weather sensors, enables:

Proper root system development during the early stages of cultivation and appropriate Irrigation practices once the crop begins bearing fruit.
Irrigation management aimed at avoiding high soil moisture levels, to which the olive tree is highly sensitive.
Ensuring water and nutrient inputs that allow, under existing soil and climate conditions, an optimal balance between crop yield, oil yield (percentage of oil contained in the olive), and the quality of the oil produced.
Implement specific irrigation practices independently, tailored to the type of irrigation (surface localized irrigation or SUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION) and in response to reduced water availability (supplemental irrigation, controlled deficit irrigation, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main varieties of Irrigation systems for olive trees that we have available?

We have various Irrigation solutions adapted to the specific needs of olive growing, from drip irrigation systems to localized irrigation, each designed to optimize water use and ensure the correct development of the olive tree.

Do we offer customized Irrigation solutions for large olive plantations?

Yes, we offer complete and tailor-made Irrigation solutions to suit any size of olive plantation. Our service includes planning, installation and maintenance of irrigation systems that perfectly fit the specific needs of your crop.

What are the advantages of using our Irrigation systems in olive cultivation?

Our Irrigation systems are designed to maximize water efficiency, reduce operating costs and increase olive tree production. By using our Irrigation solutions, you ensure uniform water distribution, minimizing plant water stress and promoting healthy and productive development.

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