Technical Analysis of High Density Olive Orchards: a Case Study in Tuscany

Low input management of a high density olive orchard is presented here and implications on olive oil yield and quality discussed. The young olive orchard yielded abundantly (about 1 t of oil per hectare) despite the minimum input criteria that were followed in irrigation, fertilization, and pruning. Grass cover, minimum pruning, deficit irrigation strategies not only proved sustainable but also compatible with top quality oil production and mechanical harvesting. Minimum pruning techniques allowed to keep pruning to less than 45 min over the 10-year period, which included the training phase and the onset of fruit production. Yield of deficit irrigated trees was 84% of fully irrigated trees; rainfed trees produced 63% of fully-irrigated trees. Soil water availability strongly influenced phenolic concentration of olive oil. Yield to mechanical harvesting by trunk shakers was greater than 90% for 'Frantoio' and 'Leccino', between 85 and 91% for 'Pendolino', and less than 88 and 80% for 'Arbequina' and 'Moraiolo', respectively.