Temperatures dropping in this one second week of January, with the thermometer close to zero degrees at night in some areas of central-northern Italy and biting cold even during the daylight hours. This situation favors olive groves the gelicide, that is to say that activity that rain carries out when it stops for a long time on the branches and twigs of trees and freezes. In such cases, the cold penetrates the tissues of the plant, perhaps those just under the epidermis, with the risk of causing damage if these low temperatures continue over time.
“The damage from frost is also limited – remember the director of the Interregional Olive Producers Association, Enzo Gambin (in the picture) – create wounds in the leaves, as well as in the twigs, and can be olive tree scab infection vehicles. Even if we are in the winter period, this bacterium penetrates inside and is capable of infecting the tissues. Therefore, if we notice that cold or frost create micro-wounds or even clearly visible wounds in our plants, it is better to go back to the olive grove and carry out, without waiting for vegetative growth, a phytosanitary intervention with cupric products in order to disinfect these lesions, considering that copper has a bactericidal action".
Olive scab, as is known, can lead to one loss of production and also a possible one drying of the affected part. How to recognize it? It is not difficult: the attached part is in fact clearly visible because several globular tumors form on it, therefore real protuberances which have a rough surface and are sometimes also characterized by small openings. Obviously the size of the tumor growths changes based on how much and when the disease has spread.
“It should also be considered – concludes Gambin – that there are possible small phytotoxicity due to low temperatures. Therefore, if we are going to carry out this phytosanitary intervention, it is best that it be carried out during the hottest hours of the day".
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