The Olive tree and the phenomenon of production alternation

The olive tree is, among the tree essences characterizing the Mediterranean landscape, the predominant crop for historicity and culture. In this climatic zone, traditional “dry” olive groves very frequently present phenomena of “production alternation”; the plant produces one year yes (year of charge) and one year no (year of discharge) due to an “alternating” competition between vegetative and reproductive organs.

Responsible for the alternation are certainly environmental factors (drought, brightness, and cold) and factors related to the not-always-optimal management of the olive grove such as tillage, pruning, and/or irrigation, which can influence the flower differentiation of some gems.

The productivity of the olive grove can become “regular” by restoring the natural vegetative-productive balance: this goal can be achieved through accurate mineral nutrition and the adoption of appropriate agronomic techniques.

To increase the productivity of the olive tree, a rustic and long-lived tree species, it is necessary to maintain a high nutritional level of the plant; it is a crop greedy for nitrogen which, in order to be able to produce annually and constantly, requires nitrogenous fertilization along the production cycle.

How to intervene on the olive according to Mugavero

To intervene correctly it is necessary to know the floral biology of the olive tree and for this purpose we remember that “the induction to flower” takes place in the period of July, “the initiation of the flower buds” in the period of December/January while “the differentiation ” in the period of March. A certain number of cold days is required to induce the initiation phase of the flower buds; mild winters determine an almost uninterrupted vegetative phase, negatively affecting the subsequent phase of floral differentiation.

Soil management

As regards the fertilization of the olive grove, Mugavero offers solutions for the different company needs of soil management: MIDOTEC, AUREA, and MIREA are the three lines of “slow release” nitrogen fertilizers with different mechanisms of action to reduce losses of nitrogen by volatilization or leaching and to increase the availability of nitrogen for the plant, guaranteeing a progressive and prolonged nutritional supply over time. The choice of one line of fertilizers over another depends on the company’s operating methods: if the olive grove is managed with tillage involving the burial of the fertilizer, in this case, the use of MIDOTEC is recommended, if The olive grove is managed with “conservative” techniques of soil fertility such as minimum or zero tillage, in this other case the choice can fall on AUREA or on the more innovative MIREA line of fertilizers with double inhibitor.

Nutrition of the olive tree

Other innovative solutions in terms of foliar application are proposed by Mugavero with the aim of optimizing plant nutrition and enhancing the plant’s productive response:

1. GRAN RISERVA, a biostimulant applied by foliar application on olive trees from the “flower bud initiation” phase to the “flower differentiation” phase, satisfies the initial nitrogen requirement and supplies the “energy” necessary for the plant for subsequent flowering. It is recommended to mix with TOCUZIN, a resistance inducer, to ensure a disinfectant action of plant tissues and “increase” the plant’s resistance to cold.

2. In the flower differentiation phase, we suggest the foliar application in a mixture of MUGASOL GEL VEGETO and KELPSTAR BORO which completes the nutritional needs of the plant and significantly accelerates the cell multiplication processes. The mixture, already acidified, does not require the addition of acidifying or adhesive formulations because the gel formulation, of organic origin, guarantees adhesiveness and persistence on the leaf blade. KELPSTAR BORO favors the anthesis and maturation of the pollen tube and helps the plant to overcome any abiotic stress.

3. In pre-flowering, instead, intervene with MUGASOL GEL RADICO mixed with PETALOSO containing molybdenum: the treatment is particularly suitable for supporting flowering in periods of thermal stress, favoring fruit setting, ensuring quality production.

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Small fruits continue to fascinate consumers and producers and confirm, once again, their growing trend and the increasingly prevalent diffusion of new plants in areas other than conventional ones. This is why, in addition to the strawberry, which remains the most cultivated species among small fruits, the blueberry (genus Vaccinium, Ericaceae family) is taking on a leading role. Thanks, above all, to the new cultivation techniques in a protected and soilless environment.

The characteristics of the blueberry

A spontaneous plant, very common in the northern hemisphere, the blueberry has wood and flower buds: the former are found in the basal part of the fruiting branch and are recognized by their smaller size and pointed appearance; the latter, present in the distal portion of the fruiting branch, are instead large, swollen and rounded.

Mugavero’s suggestions Gran Riserva on blueberry

For the blueberry, Mugavero suggests the foliar application of the Gran Riserva. As it allows better nutrition of the permanent and productive structures of the plant. Recalling that, being a non-residual treatment, it favours flower differentiation that proceeds with a basipetal trend along the growth axis of the fruiting branch. Without forgetting that, thanks to the presence of lignosulfonates, it gives the product marked surfactant and sequestering properties concerning the microelements present (Mn and Zn), which respectively confer better resistance to cold and greater resistance to pathogens. In summary, the treatment with the Gran Riserva allows to obtain a high uniformity and synchrony of budding and, at the same time, increases the vitality of the flower buds. The product should be applied during the enlargement of the buds: the treatment does not create causticity on the floral organs and does not interfere with the activity of pollinating insects.

Tocuzin on blueberry

Another important aspect of the cultivation of blueberries is the control of the main fungal and bacterial diseases (Phomopsis spp. And Pseudomonas syringe). In this direction, Mugavero proposes the use of Tocuzin, a resistance inducer containing Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) complexed with citric acid. Characterized by low pH reaction and low molecular weight, Tocuzin is assimilated by plant tissues within a few hours, and this allows you to plan foliar interventions with serenity even in the presence of unstable weather. In addition to having a nourishing and disinfecting action on plant tissues, it also has a stimulating and invigorating action on vegetation.

Recalling, among other things, that the application of Tocuzin is allowed in organic farming. Finally, it should also be noted that if the mixture with Gran Riserva is suggested by foliar application (obviously respecting the doses indicated on the label), Tocuzin, given its systemic nature, can also be used in fertigation.

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Concluding the kiwi harvest campaign does not mean completing one’s work, quite the opposite. A series of cultural interventions are necessary that the farmer must take into consideration. Among these, for example, those aimed at phytosanitary protection of the plant and the accumulation of reserve substances to ensure production in the following campaign stand out.

First of all, if summer meteoric events (such as excessive exposure to the sun) are responsible for hydration problems of the plant, on the other hand, we must not forget that autumn meteoric events (such as wind, rain and/or hail) also contribute to creating micro-lesions on semi-woody tissues not yet well lignified of the plant. In both cases, therefore, wounds are created on the kiwi plant which becomes a potential “preferential entrance” for fungal and bacterial infections.

Treatments for the kiwi plant

Before seeing what are the solutions proposed by Mugavero for the cultivation of kiwi, we must, first of all, remember that the characteristics of porosity and roughness of the kiwi wood, compared to that of other fruit crops, increase the susceptibility of the crop to abiotic agents, Furthermore, even the occurrence of nutritional imbalances due to excessively high fertilizations has repercussions on the integrity of the permanent organs of the plant and the maturation of the wood.

This is why, in the conventional management of the plant, we turn to cupric fungicide treatments with a healing and disinfectant action and with concentrations of copper and dosages per unit of surface in most of the times high. Which, however, do not always have positive repercussions on the vegetative development of the plant. So much so that even if they tend to harden the plant, they have no nutritional effect on it. The nutrition of the permanent and productive structures of the plant, immediately after harvest, is, on the other hand, a fundamental phase to complete the accumulation of reserve substances and promote pyroptosis.

Mugavero’s solutions for kiwi cultivation

For the cultivation of kiwi and other deciduous fruit crops, Mugavero has foreseen the post-harvest application of the Gran Riserva. As it promotes pyroptosis and the subsequent entry into the dormancy of the buds. In addition, the lignosulfonates present in the Gran Riserva gives the product marked surfactant and sequestering properties concerning the microelements present (Zn and Mn) responsible, on the treated plant, for a better resistance to cold and defence against pathogens (fungi and bacteria) inhibiting its development.

The kiwi plant treated with Gran Riserva has a better degree of lignification and significant swelling of the buds that can be appreciated with the naked eye even by a non-professional farmer. At the time of winter pruning, which consists in removing the shoots of the plant that was produced the previous year and shortening the shoots next year to bear fruit, the goodness of the lignification of the wood is appreciated.

Mugavero also offers Tocuzin, to be applied in winter pruning and also in green pruning in April and June, immediately after setting. Containing Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) with a low pH reaction, Tocuzin can be applied by foliar application and by fertigation and, thanks to the low molecular weight of the organic complex, it is assimilated by plant tissues within a few hours; this allows you to plan foliar interventions with serenity even in the presence of unstable weather. Finally, in addition to having a nutritional, fungicidal and bactericidal action on plant tissues, Tocuzin also has a stimulating and invigorating action on vegetation.

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