After winter, olive grove treatments for prevent pests and diseases and obtain a homogeneous and quality harvest , are essential. If these treatments are performed correctly in a timely manner and with the right products, they greatly help to mitigate the effect of alternate bearing typical of this crop, very pronounced in certain varieties.

Effect of alternate bearing on olive trees

Those treatments applied in early stages, after harvesting and pruning, are preparatory treatments whose objective, among others, is to adapt the olive tree so that it offers a good floweringDepending on the variety and the climate of each area, between late winter and early spring, the buds begin to emerge from dormancy, initiating their growth toward new shoots or inflorescences. The fate of the buds toward flower or vegetative shoot has already been explained in our Cultinews May 2020.

Therefore, March and April are key months to provide the olive tree with essential nutrients to achieve good flowering and vegetative growth., a productive base for the following year's harvest. Thus, the contributions of essential nutrients, both macro and micronutrients, should not be neglected, and in addition, the following come into play here: biostimulants, who come to cover the complementary needs of the olive grove. Its effect has a positive impact on the crop yield and quality as well as in the “resilience” of the tree subjected to different types of abiotic stress, providing the capacity for resistance and recovery from extreme situations. In addition, in certain phenological phases such as, for example, the flowering, setting, fattening of the olive or its ripening, the olive tree can have a significant increase in needsIt is in these stages that action is needed to meet the plant's metabolic needs with the help of biostimulants. Depending on the phenological phase of the olive tree, The biostimulant must be accompanied by another nutritional agent.

Olive branch

Summarizing our Cultinews May 2019 We must differentiate between algae-based biostimulants or amino acid-based biostimulants:

  • The algae, In addition to biostimulant action, they have fertilizer properties, because they release nitrogen slowly and are also rich in microelements, vitamins and plant phytohormonesSome even act at the level of induction in the development of natural defense mechanisms and the immune system of plants.
  • The amino acids, which represent a energy stimulation during times of greatest crop demand, promote protein synthesis and intervene in specific processes to promote the synthesis of phytohormones and chlorophyll, they act by causing a further increase in photosynthesis, are an osmotic agent of the cell cytoplasm that helps open the stomata and regulates the water balance of the plant, strengthening the cell walls and helping to rebuild plant tissues, They promote sprouting and vegetative development, increase sap circulation and reduce the time required by the plant for healing of plant tissues, due to its high capacity as a cytological regenerator, etc.

Hydrolysis of amino acids

 

But in addition to biostimulants, which help the olive tree in critical periods or periods of high metabolic requirements, the plant must synthesize glucose (sugar)* through photosynthesis, from water and carbon dioxide, and with the intervention of sunlight and other mineral elements. Sugars synthesized through biochemical reactions become part of the plant's structure, as is the case with cellulose, or are converted into reserve substances such as starch. Sugars, on the other hand, They facilitate the assimilation of nutrients and their transport through the plant, since they reduce osmotic pressure, thereby improving their entry into plant tissues. In moments of stress, whether due to adverse weather conditions or at critical moments of its growth, The plant needs a lot of energy to carry out physiological processes. In these circumstances, the additional contribution of sugars, is crucial since it represents for the plant a Energy savings by incorporating them directly into the sap without having to synthesize them.

We must also review the importance of the nutritional requirements of the olive grove for this time of year. Assuming that a subscription plan and the needs of have been covered NPK, we cannot neglect the requirements in others macronutrients and micronutrients.

  • Nitrogen. This element performs countless functions in the plant and is a constituent of many organic compounds such as amines, amides, sugars, pigments, amino acids, proteins, and enzymes, as well as chromosomes. It is highly mobile within the plant, as its forms are translocated, usually to growing points.
  • Phosphorus. In the plant it is present in building blocks (phosphate sugars, nucleic acids, phospholipids and coenzymes) and in energy transport compounds (ATP, NADP, FAD).
  • Potassium. It is generally concentrated at growth sites, playing an important role in maintaining the stability of cell membranes. Among its many other functions, it regulates stomatal opening and closure, playing an important role in water regulation and cell turgor.
  • Football. It is a structural element in the plant, essential in cell walls and required to achieve the integrity and stability of membranes.
  • Magnesium. Element that intervenes in many enzymatic reactions, as an activator, and of great importance as it forms the nucleus of the chlorophyll molecule.

Table MACRONUTRIENTS MESONUTRIENTS MICRONUTRIENTS

 

In the case of micronutrients, it would be convenient to clarify the importance and functionality of some of them:

  • Iron. Very important as an enzyme activator and essential for the formation of chlorophyll precursors.
  • Manganese. It activates several enzyme systems related to carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, phosphorylation reactions, and the formation of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). It is involved in the photolysis of water during photosynthesis, as well as in the synthesis of sucrose (sugar) in plants.
  • Zinc. This element is involved in the synthesis of some amino acids. Zinc's most important function in plants is as an enzyme activator, among which the auxin synthesis (indoleacetic acid).
  • Molybdenum. It is involved in nitrate accumulation and a marked decrease in ascorbic acid oxidase activity. Nitrogen fixation and reduction are prerequisites for the synthesis of amino acids and proteins, and a molybdenum deficiency has adverse effects on them.
  • Boron. Multifunctional element: it intervenes in the synthesis of the cell wall and in the metabolism of carbohydrates, involved in the transport of sugars, influences cell growth and elongation as a hormonal regulator, plays an essential role in the formation of amino acids and in the synthesis of proteins, and above all, it is closely related to the quality of the pollen and the germination capacity of the pollen tube.

Pollination takes place during flowering., that is, the transfer of pollen from the anther of the flower to the receptive stigma of the same or another flower. For the fertilization of the flower to take place, the pollen tube must travel the path that leads from the stigma to the interior of the embryo sac, where fertilization will occur, giving rise to the future seed and with it, the conversion of the flower into a fruit. boron application is necessary in olive trees at the beginning of vegetative activity, prior to flowering, as well as at the beginning of fruiting, with the aim to improve pollen quality and pollen tube growth, participates in cell division and growth (hence its deficiency at the leaf and fruit level, which shows malformations).

El zinc, on the other hand, participate in the production of growth regulators responsible for internode elongation and chloroplast development. It is also used by the plant to form chlorophylls and some carbohydrates, and it improves resistance to low temperatures. Its deficiency significantly reduces growth and productive potential..

Olive grove flowering

Taking into account the information contained in this article, the Recommendation to improve vegetative growth as well as flowering and fruit setting in olive, it would be the following:

  • Fungicide, for the prevention of fungal diseases. Depending on the weather conditions, we will use one active ingredient or another, ranging from a simple copper oxychloride (different concentrations) to a systemic fungicide.
  • Insecticide, if the thresholds of the pest in question make its use advisable.
  • NPK, depending on the subscription plan.
  • Biostimulant, to cover the complementary needs of the olive grove.
  • Boron and zinc, as essential and specific micronutrients to improve flowering and fruit setting, as well as vegetative growth.

Recommendation for olive grove treatments

But which biostimulant should you choose in each case?

  • BVC 2021. In this plant metabolic activatoreven under adverse conditions (temperature, lighting, wind, etc.), based on amino acids and algae in emulsion, also containing nitrogen, potassium and reducing sugars*. It increases the rate of photosynthesis, improves the assimilation and translocation of nutrients, and increases the synthesis of amino acids, peptides, and proteins. It promotes the initiation of plant physiological activity and exerts a multifactorial control in flowering, thanks to its powerful cytokinin effect. And now its formula has been improved by the CULTITEK Activating Biotechnology, further reinforcing its effect on the chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthetic activity.

Differentiation of auxins versus cytokinins

  • AMACOL. It is a biostimulant with free amino acids of animal origin, which has a high percentage of reducing sugars* (25% w/w) that They provide energy and promote rapid absorption for the plant. This product is designed to stimulate all stages of plant development, whether post-transplant adaptation, vegetative development, flowering, fruit set, or fruiting. It is also a very effective product for overcoming all types of stress (hail, frost, torrential rain, drought, phytotoxicity, etc.).
  • FOLITON: A Biostimulant with a high content of proteinogenic L-amino acids, both free and combined in the form of peptides and polypeptides, which allows the olive tree to save energy in protein formation, especially when there are high nutritional requirements. It is a liquid formulation of rapid assimilation and translocation in the plant. Its application represents a strong stimulation of plant metabolism at times when increased vegetative activity is required. The joint action of the components in its formulation promotes the synthesis of proteins and carbohydrates, promote the start of the plant's physiological activity, stimulate the formation of leaves and flowers, improve the quality of the fruits and homogenize their size and ripening.
  • CULTIMAR PLUS. Es emulsion based on an algae complex that contribute easily assimilated active ingredients (plant phytohormones, essential oils, sugars*, proteins, mineral salts and vitamins). It contributes to improve vegetative development and production, with the particularity of delay fruit senescence and help overcome stressful situationsIts composition makes it a biostimulant. highly versatileThanks to the magnesium, sulfur and boron in its formulation, it is ideal for improving flowering and fruit setting, but it's also suitable for stimulating growth at the beginning of vegetative growth or for facilitating olive fattening, ripening, and increasing oil yield. CULTIMAR PLUS is also certified for use as an input in Organic Agriculture (CAAE).

Regarding the recommended deficiency correctors:

  • CULTIBORO PLUS. Liquid formulation of boron, complexed with ethanolamine and reducing sugars*, easy to assimilate. Recommended for improve flowering (pollen tube and pollen quality)) and the curdling, as well as to induce root growth and renewal of absorbent hairs, because it is involved in cell division and acts as precursor of certain hormones.This element is often found in deficient levels in calcareous, easily leachable soils or in light soils, which leads to its deficiency. CULTIBORO PLUS is another of our certified organic products (CAAE).
  • CULTIFORT Zinc-BoronLiquid formulation of zinc and boron easily assimilated, chelated with EDTA, polycarboxylic acids and reducing sugars*. Recommended to prevent reduced growth, defoliation, poor development of the terminal bud, as well as to improve fruit set and prevent fruit malformations.

In short, in Cultivator we offer a wide range of nutritional solutions with specific functions designed to improve crop yields in an efficient and environmentally friendly way. Furthermore, our catalog only includes "zero-waste" products.