Olive tree and rational management of nitrogen according to Mugavero

The Olive tree and the phenomenon of production alternation

The olive tree is, among the tree essences characterizing the Mediterranean landscape, the predominant crop for historicity and culture. In this climatic zone, traditional “dry” olive groves very frequently present phenomena of “production alternation”; the plant produces one year yes (year of charge) and one year no (year of discharge) due to an “alternating” competition between vegetative and reproductive organs.

Responsible for the alternation are certainly environmental factors (drought, brightness, and cold) and factors related to the not-always-optimal management of the olive grove such as tillage, pruning, and/or irrigation, which can influence the flower differentiation of some gems.

The productivity of the olive grove can become “regular” by restoring the natural vegetative-productive balance: this goal can be achieved through accurate mineral nutrition and the adoption of appropriate agronomic techniques.

To increase the productivity of the olive tree, a rustic and long-lived tree species, it is necessary to maintain a high nutritional level of the plant; it is a crop greedy for nitrogen which, in order to be able to produce annually and constantly, requires nitrogenous fertilization along the production cycle.

How to intervene on the olive according to Mugavero

To intervene correctly it is necessary to know the floral biology of the olive tree and for this purpose we remember that “the induction to flower” takes place in the period of July, “the initiation of the flower buds” in the period of December/January while “the differentiation ” in the period of March. A certain number of cold days is required to induce the initiation phase of the flower buds; mild winters determine an almost uninterrupted vegetative phase, negatively affecting the subsequent phase of floral differentiation.

Soil management

As regards the fertilization of the olive grove, Mugavero offers solutions for the different company needs of soil management: MIDOTEC, AUREA, and MIREA are the three lines of “slow release” nitrogen fertilizers with different mechanisms of action to reduce losses of nitrogen by volatilization or leaching and to increase the availability of nitrogen for the plant, guaranteeing a progressive and prolonged nutritional supply over time. The choice of one line of fertilizers over another depends on the company’s operating methods: if the olive grove is managed with tillage involving the burial of the fertilizer, in this case, the use of MIDOTEC is recommended, if The olive grove is managed with “conservative” techniques of soil fertility such as minimum or zero tillage, in this other case the choice can fall on AUREA or on the more innovative MIREA line of fertilizers with double inhibitor.

Nutrition of the olive tree

Other innovative solutions in terms of foliar application are proposed by Mugavero with the aim of optimizing plant nutrition and enhancing the plant’s productive response:

1. GRAN RISERVA, a biostimulant applied by foliar application on olive trees from the “flower bud initiation” phase to the “flower differentiation” phase, satisfies the initial nitrogen requirement and supplies the “energy” necessary for the plant for subsequent flowering. It is recommended to mix with TOCUZIN, a resistance inducer, to ensure a disinfectant action of plant tissues and “increase” the plant’s resistance to cold.

2. In the flower differentiation phase, we suggest the foliar application in a mixture of MUGASOL GEL VEGETO and KELPSTAR BORO which completes the nutritional needs of the plant and significantly accelerates the cell multiplication processes. The mixture, already acidified, does not require the addition of acidifying or adhesive formulations because the gel formulation, of organic origin, guarantees adhesiveness and persistence on the leaf blade. KELPSTAR BORO favors the anthesis and maturation of the pollen tube and helps the plant to overcome any abiotic stress.

3. In pre-flowering, instead, intervene with MUGASOL GEL RADICO mixed with PETALOSO containing molybdenum: the treatment is particularly suitable for supporting flowering in periods of thermal stress, favoring fruit setting, ensuring quality production.

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