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Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and...
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Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Physiology and Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 10243

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elettra Marone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture Food and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini, 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: extra virgin olive oil; olive tree cultivation; tropical and temperate fruit trees cultivation; fruit quality
Dr. Cosimo Taiti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Viale delle Idee 30, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy
Interests: VOCs analysis; volatile compounds plants network; fruit quality; tropical and temperate fruit trees cultivation; extra virgin olive oil

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Olive is one of the most important food-trees in the Mediterranean area, where, in traditional orchards, it still represents a key element for landscape configuration.

The development of new multiplication techniques since the late 1960s; the improvement in oil-separation techniques; developments in mechanization, especially harvesting; and improved knowledge on plant genetics, physiology, and the nutraceuticals properties of extra virgin olive oil, as well as the increase in the demand for extra virgin olive oil as a healthy food by consumers all over the world has quickly expanded olive cultivation outside its traditional distribution area. Today, cultivated olive (Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. europaea) ranks 21st among agricultural species worldwide and first among woody fruit species in terms of surface area (more than 11.0 million ha), producing more than 3 000 000 t of virgin olive oil and more than 2 600 000 t of table olives per year.

Little more than 60 years have passed since olive first expanded beyond its traditional cultivation areas, and the species has proved to be flexible and adaptable in various agronomic, climatic, and environmental situations, with an ability to add value to extensive areas and face the current changes in climate.

Today, in some production areas, the intensification and mechanization of olive cultivation has increased thanks to technological advances. As a result, new olive groves that have been irrigated and fertilized have a higher planting density, giving rise to high-density olive orchards and more recently, to hedge olive orchards.

Moreover, the increase in consumers' request for high-quality extra virgin olive oils highlights the need to better understand some of the old germplasm cultivars, with the aim of helping breeders to develop modern ones that are suitable for high-quality production and with increased resilience to climate change.

The forthcoming Special Issue aims to provide an overview on the most recent progress on olive cultivation, exploring innovative techniques and mitigation strategies against climate change. Therefore, this Special Issue of Plants welcomes contributions (reviews, original research papers, short communications) produced by scientific experts working inside the olive area. Colleagues are invited to submit innovative papers that will improve the knowledge used to increase the productivity and quality of olive production, reduce its environmental impact, and adapt olive cultivation to climate change.

Submissions may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Genetics
  • Olive orchard management for sustainable olive growing
  • Pruning and harvesting improvements
  • Flowering and self-incompatibility
  • Plant protection
  • Olive cultivation and climate change
  • Cold tolerance and cold requirements
  • Tree physiology
  • Fruit post-harvest management
  • Fruit and oil quality characteristics
  • Byproducts

Dr. Elettra Marone
Dr. Cosimo Taiti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2116 KiB  
Article
Canopy Architectural Characteristics of Ten New Olive (Olea europaea L.) Genotypes and Their Potential for Cultivation in Super-High-Density Orchards
by Marina Bufacchi, Franco Famiani, Valentina Passeri, Andrea Domesi, Adolfo Rosati and Andrea Paoletti
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1399; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101399 - 17 May 2024
Viewed by 1071
Abstract
In recent years, there has been growing interest in olive genotypes (Olea europaea L.) suitable for super-high-density (SHD > 1200 trees/hectare) orchards. To date, only a few cultivars are considered fitting for such cultivation system. In this study, the first results on [...] Read more.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in olive genotypes (Olea europaea L.) suitable for super-high-density (SHD > 1200 trees/hectare) orchards. To date, only a few cultivars are considered fitting for such cultivation system. In this study, the first results on the architectural characteristics of the canopy of ten new olive genotypes are presented. Their suitability for SHD orchards was evaluated and compared with the cultivar ‘Arbequina’, which is considered suitable for SHD olive orchards and, for this reason, was used as the control. Several canopy measurements were taken, and some architectural parameters, such as branching frequency, branching density, and branch diameter/stem diameter ratio were calculated. The branching frequency value was greater than 0.20 in ‘Arbequina’ and in only four of the genotypes. The branching density in five genotypes was similar to ‘Arbequina’. ‘Arbequina’ had the lowest value for the branch diameter/stem diameter ratio, and only three genotypes had similar values. These initial results showed that only one genotype has all canopy architectural characteristics comparable to those of the cv. ‘Arbequina’. Further studies are needed to evaluate the production traits of these new genotypes and complete their characterization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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13 pages, 1590 KiB  
Article
No- or Low-Content Copper Compounds for Controlling Venturia oleaginea, the Causal Agent of Olive Leaf Spot Disease
by Leen Almadi, Samer Jarrar, Layth Sbaihat, Tahreer Issa, Michele Tucci, Chiaraluce Moretti, Roberto Buonaurio and Franco Famiani
Plants 2024, 13(5), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050600 - 22 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1862
Abstract
The efficacy of using a synthetic (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole), copper-based (copper oxychloride) and low-content copper compound (copper complexed with gluconate and lignosulphonate) fungicides for controlling Venturia oleaginea, the causal agent of olive spot disease, was evaluated in an olive (cv. Nabali) orchard [...] Read more.
The efficacy of using a synthetic (azoxystrobin + difenoconazole), copper-based (copper oxychloride) and low-content copper compound (copper complexed with gluconate and lignosulphonate) fungicides for controlling Venturia oleaginea, the causal agent of olive spot disease, was evaluated in an olive (cv. Nabali) orchard located in the Kafr Qud area (Palestine) in 2017–2018. Treatments were applied at three different times (February, April, and August). In January 2017, at the beginning of the experiment, about 90% of the leaves grown in 2016 were infected. Defoliation was determined by counting the leaves on the labeled branches initially and then periodically. It increased gradually in both the control and treated trees, but those treated with azoxystrobin + difenoconazole or with copper complexed with gluconate and lignosulphonate showed a slower defoliation rate. During 2017, new shoots grew and new leaves developed. All treatments reduced the drop of new leaves with respect to the control, with positive effects on the reproductive activity (inflorescence growth and yield). Overall, all treatments significantly reduced the disease, thus indicating the possibility of greatly reducing infections if treatments are regularly applied each year, also with traditional (copper-based) fungicides. Due to their capability of penetrating inside the vegetative tissue, azoxystrobin + difenoconazole or copper complexed with gluconate and lignosulphonate reduced/slowed down the drop of infected leaves. The use of these fungicides is therefore particularly recommended when olive leaf spot disease is severe. The use of low-content copper compounds allows the amount of metallic copper used for the treatments against V. oleaginea to be greatly reduced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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19 pages, 3409 KiB  
Article
Does the Harvest Type Affect Olive Health? Influence of the Harvesting System and Storage Time on the Chemical, Volatile and Sensory Qualities of Extra Virgin Olive Oils
by Cosimo Taiti, Elisa Masi, Federica Flamminii, Carla Di Mattia, Stefano Mancuso and Elettra Marone
Plants 2023, 12(22), 3843; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223843 - 14 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1250
Abstract
With the aim of investigating the effect of bruising and its development during the postharvest time, olive fruits (Frantoio and Moraiolo), manually and mechanically harvested, were stored in climatic chambers at two different temperatures (5 °C and 18 °C) for five days. Visual [...] Read more.
With the aim of investigating the effect of bruising and its development during the postharvest time, olive fruits (Frantoio and Moraiolo), manually and mechanically harvested, were stored in climatic chambers at two different temperatures (5 °C and 18 °C) for five days. Visual observations highlighted changes in the olive peel with discoloration in the damaged areas and tissue bruising. Olive fruit polyphenols, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other oil quality parameters (phenolic content, free acidity and peroxide index) and sensory assessment were evaluated. Analyses were carried out on fruits and experimental extra virgin oils at harvesting and after 5 days of fruit storage. The results highlight that low-temperature storage (5 °C for 5 days) may contribute to the maintenance of high olive oil quality, and the quality of olives stored at room temperature drastically decreases after 5 days of storage. Moreover, mechanical harvesting, compared to manual harvesting, does not seem to affect the final oil quality, at least at harvesting, but seems to determine differences in the long-term storage period. Finally, the samples stored at 18 °C showed a quality deterioration with the development of sensorial defects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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14 pages, 649 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Olive Mill Byproducts: Recovery of Biophenol Compounds and Application in Animal Feed
by Giulia Francesca Cifuni, Salvatore Claps, Giuseppe Morone, Lucia Sepe, Pasquale Caparra, Cinzia Benincasa, Massimiliano Pellegrino and Enzo Perri
Plants 2023, 12(17), 3062; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173062 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1156
Abstract
This study aimed to recover the phenols from olive oil mill wastewater, a major pollutant of the oil industry, by using spray-drying technology to produce a new feed with a nutraceutical value for animal feed supplementation and to evaluate its effect on the [...] Read more.
This study aimed to recover the phenols from olive oil mill wastewater, a major pollutant of the oil industry, by using spray-drying technology to produce a new feed with a nutraceutical value for animal feed supplementation and to evaluate its effect on the productivity and nutritional quality of ewe milk. Forty-five Sarda ewes in late lactation (150 ± 2 d) and with homogeneous live weight (52 ± 1.5 kg) were randomly allotted into three groups and fed with three dietary treatments containing increasing levels of polyphenols: 0% (C), 0.1% (T0.1), and 0.2% (T0.2) of dry matter. No effect of the dietary treatments was found on the milk yield and composition. Interestingly, milk urea content (p < 0.0001) and somatic cell counts (p < 0.001) decreased as the level of polyphenols inclusion in the diet increased. The inclusion of phenols (0.2% of dry matter) in the diet of sheep was effective in increasing the vaccenic (C18:1 trans-11) and rumenic acid (C18: cis-9 trans-11) levels, which are beneficial for human health. Finally, the recovery of polyphenols via spray-drying technology and their incorporation into a new fortified feed can be a valid strategy for naturally improving the nutritional value of milk while valorizing an oil industry byproduct, reducing environmental impact, and promoting waste reuse that is in line with circular economy principles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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17 pages, 2650 KiB  
Article
Different Weed Managements Influence the Seasonal Floristic Composition in a Super High-Density Olive Orchard
by Stefano Popolizio, Gaetano Alessandro Vivaldi and Salvatore Camposeo
Plants 2023, 12(16), 2921; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162921 - 11 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1151
Abstract
Weed management is not yet environmentally, agronomically, economically and socially sustainable in olive orchards. It is necessary to study appropriate integrated weed management systems (IWMSs) based on the knowledge of weed population and effects of weeding practices over time. The aim of this [...] Read more.
Weed management is not yet environmentally, agronomically, economically and socially sustainable in olive orchards. It is necessary to study appropriate integrated weed management systems (IWMSs) based on the knowledge of weed population and effects of weeding practices over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different weed managements on seasonal floristic composition of a super high-density olive orchard, also exploiting the essential principles of an IWMS. Five weeding techniques were compared: chemical control (CHI), mowing (MEC), plastic (nonwoven tissue, TNT and polyethylene, PEN) and organic (with de-oiled olive pomace, DOP) mulching. Weed monitoring was carried out on six dates in a three-year period. The infestation of each of the main 18 weed species recorded (%) and the total infestation (%) on each monitoring date were determined. Results underlined that all weeding practices investigated in this multi-year study affected the floristic composition, weed characteristics (hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes and therophytes) and seed bank. TNT and PEN were the most effective methods for weed management. Particularly, total infestation coefficient was significantly lowest when plots were managed with TNT (13.91%) and PEN (14.38%) and highest for MEC (141.29%). However, DOP also significantly reduced infestation compared to CHI and MEC. Therefore, DOP could constitute an excellent strategy for weed management in super high-density olive groves, since it also has the possibility of distributing mulching materials in a mechanized way in field and can result in improvement of soil fertility and the possibility of valorizing waste. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the mechanism of action (physical and allelochemical) of de-oiled pomace or other organic agro-industrial materials and the recovery time of these mulching materials in super high-density olive orchards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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16 pages, 2959 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Responses in Leaves of 15 Italian Olive Cultivars in Correspondence to Variable Climatic Elements
by Ilaria Colzi, Elettra Marone, Simone Luti, Luigia Pazzagli, Stefano Mancuso and Cosimo Taiti
Plants 2023, 12(10), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101953 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1500
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the metabolic changes that occurred in olive leaves as responses over time to variations in climatic elements. Rainfall, temperature, and solar radiation data were collected over 4 months (August–November) to assess the impact of different climatic trends on [...] Read more.
This study aims to evaluate the metabolic changes that occurred in olive leaves as responses over time to variations in climatic elements. Rainfall, temperature, and solar radiation data were collected over 4 months (August–November) to assess the impact of different climatic trends on the metabolism of the leaves of 15 Italian olive cultivars, cultivated at the experimental farm of the University of Florence. The net photosynthetic rate (AN) and stomatal conductance (gs), measured as main indicators of primary metabolism, were mainly influenced by the “cultivar” effect compared to the “climate” effect. The lowest AN value was showed by “Bianchera”, while “Ascolana” recorded the highest (8.6 and 13.6 µmol CO2 m−2s−1, respectively). On the other hand, the secondary metabolism indicators, volatile organic compound (VOC) and oleuropein (OL) content, were much more influenced by climate trends, especially rainfall. A phase of high rainfall caused a significant increase in the VOCs emission from leaves, even with different behaviors among the genotypes. The highest differences were observed between “Maiatica di Ferrandina”, with the highest average values (~85,000 npcs), and “Frantoio”, which showed the lowest (~22,700 npcs). The OL content underwent considerable fluctuations in relation to the rainfall but also appeared to be controlled by the genotype. “Coratina” always showed the highest OL concentration (reaching the maximum ~98 mg g−1), indicating the great potential of this cultivar for the industrial recovery of OL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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16 pages, 1395 KiB  
Article
Influence of Experimental Warming on the Rate and Duration of Fruit Growth and Oil Accumulation in Young Olive Trees (cvs. Arbequina, Coratina)
by Andrea Miserere, Peter S. Searles and M. Cecilia Rousseaux
Plants 2023, 12(10), 1942; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101942 - 10 May 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1561
Abstract
Olive tree cultivation in new warmer areas and climate change have increased the global interest in understanding how air temperature affects both fruit growth and oil accumulation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the rate and duration of fruit growth and [...] Read more.
Olive tree cultivation in new warmer areas and climate change have increased the global interest in understanding how air temperature affects both fruit growth and oil accumulation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the rate and duration of fruit growth and oil accumulation in response to experimental warming (+3) in a semiarid region of Argentina; and assess how warming affected fatty acid composition. Young, potted olive trees (cvs. Arbequina, Coratina) were warmed (T+) or maintained near ambient temperature (T0) inside open top chambers in the field during oil accumulation in 2014–2015 or 2015–2016 using different trees in each season. Warming reduced the rate of both fruit growth and oil accumulation in T+ compared to T0 in both cultivars. These rate reductions under T+ led to large decreases in final fruit dry weight and oil concentration. In contrast, the durations (i.e., days) of fruit growth and oil accumulation were most often not affected. Cultivar x temperature interactions were observed in 2014–2015 with warming decreasing oleic acid and increasing linoleic acid in cv. Arbequina, while cv. Coratina showed no response to warming. However, no interactions were found in 2015–2016. Studying how fruit growth and oil accumulation respond to adaptation strategies against increasing air temperatures should be a priority in both young and mature olive trees of numerous cultivars given crop expansion to new regions and future climate scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Update on the Olive Tree Cultivation: Sustainable Innovative Techniques and Mitigation Strategies against Climate Change)
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