Flowering is the very first stage of any future crop. Ensuring the plants are in good condition during this stage, to facilitate fruit set, will determine whether harvest targets are met.
Olive trees usually flower between April and June, depending on the variety and weather conditions. These periods are characterised by seasonal rainfall and temperature fluctuations, which can either help or hinder future harvest plans; it is therefore vitally important to manage those factors that are within our control. It is therefore advisable to monitor soil moisture levels, as these will directly affect the quality and quantity of the crop once fruit set is complete. Our mission is to find a suitable irrigation system capable of achieving appropriate levels of water efficiency, whilst ensuring that water is distributed evenly throughout the different phenological stages of our olive trees.
In recent decades, Spanish olive cultivation has seen technical advances in its management, with plantations now arranged in super-intensive layouts and rain-fed farming being replaced by irrigation. Drip irrigation is the leading method of irrigation, as it allows water, fertilisers and agrochemicals to be applied in a way that is tailored to each individual plot according to:
· Adverse weather conditions: (winds, high temperatures, frost, etc.).
· Soil type: dimensions of the sides and distances between drippers.
· Different stages of production: (flowering, budding, fruit set, harvesting)
As regards the development of the flower bud, its proper growth will depend critically on whether there is an excess or a deficit of water in the soil; therefore, ensuring uniform irrigation will play a crucial role in its development. To ensure specific and constant flow rates along the lateral lines on farms with uneven slopes, we use the ADI dripper, a self-compensating cylindrical dripper designed to operate in harsh conditions, such as those found on olive farms.
The olive tree’s flowering period is relatively short, so ensuring our trees are in excellent health at this stage will be a key factor in the success of this season’s harvest.
The olive tree is a crop that is highly sensitive to waterlogging; its roots cannot tolerate excess water, as this weakens its defences against disease. Under such conditions, this allows fungal diseases such as verticillium wilt to take hold, reaching dangerous levels during flowering and in late summer, when there is a high volume of sap flow.
In response to the need to distribute water and disease-prevention products – which are so feared by technicians and farmers – correctly, it is becoming increasingly essential to have tools that ensure optimal performance throughout the entire drip irrigation system. At Caudal, we are committed to the efficiency and sustainability of our products, equipping them with essential features for every situation. Super Compact combines durability and precision; despite being the smallest turbulent cylinder amongst its counterparts, as it is fitted with an excellent turbulent labyrinth that makes it an optimal alternative for use with hard water, agrochemicals and fertilisers along the lateral lines of farms with regular gradients.
Choosing the right irrigation system is one of the key factors in improving flowering in crops. At Caudal, we offer solutions tailored to the type of farm and working conditions.
