Canopy Recovery in Traditional Olive Groves: Preliminary Results

Traditional olive groves still represent the majority of the Italian oliviculture, and they are generally characterized by low planting density, considerable age of the trees, often multi-trunk training systems, large size, and senescence of the canopies, alternate bearing, absence of mechanization, and phytosanitary problems. Combined with orographic and climatic limitations, all these factors often lead to low production and high management costs, thus increasing abandonment. Nevertheless, many of these olive groves still have a good production potential, and the application of correct agronomic techniques can allow their profitability. A three-year research project started in 2018 to implement innovative techniques to recover and manage traditional olive orchards, emphasizing the rejuvenation of the canopy. Five traditional olive groves were chosen in different Italian Regions (Umbria, Latium, Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily), with a representative variety in each area ('Moraiolo', 'Leccino', 'Cima di Bitonto', 'Carolea' and 'Nocellara del Belice', respectively). According to a final polyconic vase training system, research activities are underway to rejuvenate the trees. The objective is to recover the functionality and organization of the canopy and simplify the skeletal structure for possible mechanization of some practices. Two different pruning intensities are compared: i) intense, by immediately selecting the final primary branches, and ii) light, by reducing the number of branches gradually. Unpruned trees were used as control. Pruning was performed in the spring of 2019, the amount of removed wood was recorded, and morphological and biometric parameters were measured periodically on the trees to monitor vegetative response and fruit production. Results of the first season are presented. The project will provide knowledge on the time required for canopy recovery in terms of vegetation and production for the studied varieties in each location. This information will help local farmers interested in recovering traditional olive orchards.