It is important to know and establish the times of agricultural work in the olive grove, such as pruning and fertilization. It is essential to know the development periods of the main parasites, so as to plan preventive and contrast actions. We have thus, in principle, prepared a calendar that summarizes the phenological phases, the works and the phytosanitary actions to be followed.
January
Phenological Phase: vegetative rest.
Land work: we are in one of the driest months of the year and the ongoing climate changes allow the soil to be neither frozen nor wet, but with a humidity that allows work to be carried out with minimal effort and the best result. Thus, where possible, work must be carried out. If the olive grove is covered in grass, subsoilers must be used with the function of making vertical cuts in the earth, which leave the superficial grassy layer intact, while they descend to a depth of approximately 30 cm, improving the structure of the soil, favoring the rooting of the plants and the drainage of precipitation, avoiding runoff phenomena.
Even in olive groves with bare ground it is possible to use subsoilers, with fixed or spring teeth, in this way the loosened soil is not brought back to the surface and it is possible to use a tractor even of medium or small power, 50-70 hp. The depth to be reached will always be 30-35 cm.
If the subsoiler has a limited width compared to the distances between rows, it will be best to start from the sides and close in the center: in the end the worked soil will appear loose on the surface and, in section, the macroporosity and crumbling of the mass will increase.
Pruning: only restoration pruning against wood decay, called wood decay.
February
Phenological Phase: we are still in vegetative rest.
Pruning: after the second half of the month it will be possible to start with production pruning. At the end of the cutting operations, disinfestation with cupric products must be carried out: they lower the fungal population and cause the fall of the leaves affected by Peacock's eye.
MARCH
Phenological Phase: vegetative growth, first growth and differentiation of the buds.
Pruning: the cutting operations must continue.
Phytosanitary defense: if not implemented after pruning, a phytosanitary treatment with copper products is advisable. If wood parasites, Fleutribo and Ilesino are present, create "bait bundles".
APRLE
Phenological Phase: gbudding and growth of the apical and lateral shoots.
Fertilization: complete the fertilization with nitrogen; it is possible to resort to foliar fertilization.
Pruning: continue with shearing.
Phytosanitary defense: for the olive fly, check the presence of wintering populations. Olive moth: start monitoring for the first "anthophagous" generation. Cecidomia: check for the presence of galls on leaves. Asian bedbug: exit of adults from wintering sites. Rodilegno Giallo: placement of mass capture traps.
May
Phenological Phase: beginning of pinkies - pinkies - flowering.
Fertilization: use of nitrogen and microelements, boron.
Phytosanitary defense: Moth: continue monitoring the anthophagous generation, establish any phytosanitary treatment. For wood parasites: remove the "bait fagots" from the olive grove and burn, if possible. Euzofera: place catch monitoring traps. Peacock eye: possible phytosanitary treatment with cuprics or Dodina.
June
Phenological Phase: fruit setting - first olive swelling.
Phytosanitary defense: Moth: monitoring of the anthophagous generation, establish any phytosanitary treatment. Fly: positioning of traps for monitoring and mass capture. Olive cottonwood: possible presence. Mealybugs: monitor their presence. Asian bedbug: evaluate the presence of eggs. Euzofera: monitor catches.
July
Phenological Phase: first swelling of the olives, hardening of the stone.
Phytosanitary defense: Moscow: adult flight monitoring – use of anti-deponents (kaolin, zeolite, lime or talc), possible phytosanitary intervention.
AUGUST
Phenological Phase: second olive swelling – oiling.
Pruning: possible summer harvest.
Phytosanitary defense: Olive fly: adult flight monitoring and evaluation of active infestation on olives, possible phytosanitary intervention. Margaronia and Asian bug: presence control, interventions against the olive fly reduce its population. Peacock eye or Cycloconium: maintain constant observation. Fumaggine: where present, an intervention with copper products is recommended. Hail events: if they occur, disinfection of the wounds with copper products is recommended.
September
Phenological Phase: beginning of veraison.
Phytosanitary defense: Olive fly: adult flight monitoring and infestation control, possibly intervene with specific products. Margaronia and Asian stink bug: maintain control. Oziorrinco: evaluate presences and, if necessary, position synthetic fiber bands. Peacock's Eye: evaluate the widespread presence of spots in case of infections, use copper-based or Dodina products.
October
Phenological Phase: veraison. Evaluation of maturation indices. Preparation of land for the harvesting operation. Between the second and third ten days of the month the harvesting operation begins.
Phytosanitary defense: Olive fly: continue monitoring and controlling infestations, possibly intervene with active substances, paying attention to the deficiency times. Margaronia and Asian stink bug: maintain control. Yellow Rodilegno: if the presence of tunnels is found, especially on young branches, proceed with the elimination of the insect mechanically using wire.
NOVEMBER
Phenological Phase: maturation – olive harvest.
Fertilization: once the harvesting operations have been completed, implement the autumn fertilizations at the end of which an intervention with cupric products is then advisable.
December
Phenological Phase: beginning of vegetative rest.
Phytosanitary defense: once the collection activity has been completed, disinfection with copper products is advisable. Pay attention to drops in temperatures.
AIPO Director
Interregional Association
Olive producers
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