Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices
Olive cultivation is considered as one of the most significant agricultural activities in Greece, from a financial, social, and ecological point of view. Intensive cultivation practices in combination with the Mediterranean climate, lead to depletion of soil organic matter, erosion, desertification,...
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Climate |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/8/4/54 |
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| author | G. Michalopoulos K. A. Kasapi G. Koubouris G. Psarras G. Arampatzis E. Hatzigiannakis V. Kavvadias C. Xiloyannis G. Montanaro S. Malliaraki A. Angelaki C. Manolaraki G. Giakoumaki S. Reppas N. Kourgialas G. Kokkinos |
| author_facet | G. Michalopoulos K. A. Kasapi G. Koubouris G. Psarras G. Arampatzis E. Hatzigiannakis V. Kavvadias C. Xiloyannis G. Montanaro S. Malliaraki A. Angelaki C. Manolaraki G. Giakoumaki S. Reppas N. Kourgialas G. Kokkinos |
| author_sort | G. Michalopoulos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Olive cultivation is considered as one of the most significant agricultural activities in Greece, from a financial, social, and ecological point of view. Intensive cultivation practices in combination with the Mediterranean climate, lead to depletion of soil organic matter, erosion, desertification, and degradation of water resources. This paper describes sustainable olive crop management practices that were comparatively applied in 120 olive groves in Greece for 5 years with the participation of three farmers groups. Organic materials recycled in the olive groves during the present study were valuable sources of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Carbon content was highest in pruning residue (53.8–54.2%) while all materials studied were considered rich in C ranging between 41.9–46.2% (compost) and 34.9–42.5% (three-phase olive mill waste-OMW). The highest content in nitrogen was detected in compost (2–2.45%) followed by pruning residue (0.93–0.99%) and OMW (0.03–0.1%). Compost was considered a good source of phosphorus (0.3–0.6%) followed by pruning residue (0.08–0.13%) and OMW (0.01–0.3%). Potassium was also considerable in the organic materials recycled ranging 0.5–1.5% in compost followed by pruning residue (0.5–0.7%) and OMW (0.3–1.1%). Adoption of modified pruning also had important contribution toward sustainable management of olive trees. Sustainable pruning resulted in a well-balanced ratio between vegetative growth and fruiting (balanced, every year, in order to eradicate biennial bearing). Significant fluctuation in olive yields was observed in the first years of the project while yields were gradually stabilised by applying sustainable crop management. In parallel, yield increase without additional inputs, lowers the carbon—environmental footprint of the product regarding several environmental impact categories. Results can be integrated in the national agricultural and environmental policy in Mediterranean countries toward the achievement of a circular economy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:31:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-273d6a5219d04d2b8bf02dd3e2b3583f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2225-1154 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:31:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Climate |
| spelling | doaj.art-273d6a5219d04d2b8bf02dd3e2b3583f2023-11-19T21:19:47ZengMDPI AGClimate2225-11542020-04-01845410.3390/cli8040054Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation PracticesG. Michalopoulos0K. A. Kasapi1G. Koubouris2G. Psarras3G. Arampatzis4E. Hatzigiannakis5V. Kavvadias6C. Xiloyannis7G. Montanaro8S. Malliaraki9A. Angelaki10C. Manolaraki11G. Giakoumaki12S. Reppas13N. Kourgialas14G. Kokkinos15RodaxAgro Ltd., Kottou 48, Metamorphosis, Athens, 144 52 Attikis, GreeceDevelopment Agency of Eastern Thessaloniki’s Local Authorities “ANATOLIKI S.A.”, Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organisation “DEMETER”, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops & Viticulture, Chania, 73100 Crete, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organisation “DEMETER”, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops & Viticulture, Chania, 73100 Crete, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organisations “DEMETER”, Soil and Water Resources Institute, 57400 Sindos, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organisations “DEMETER”, Soil and Water Resources Institute, 57400 Sindos, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organisation “DEMETER”, Soil and Water Resources Institute, Department of Soil Science of Athens, 1 Sof. Venizelou Str., Likovrisi, 14 123 Attiki, GreeceDepartment of European and Mediterranean Culture (DICEM), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalyDepartment of European and Mediterranean Culture (DICEM), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalyUnion of Agricultural Cooperatives of Mirabello, Sergaki 2, Neapoli, Lasithi, 72400 Crete, GreeceUnion of Agricultural Cooperatives of Mirabello, Sergaki 2, Neapoli, Lasithi, 72400 Crete, GreeceUnion of Agricultural Cooperatives of Peza Heraklion Crete S.A., Kalloni Heraklion, 70100 Crete, GreeceUnion of Agricultural Cooperatives of Peza Heraklion Crete S.A., Kalloni Heraklion, 70100 Crete, GreeceA.S. Nileas–Agricultural Olive oil Cooperative, Agiou Dimitriou 36, Hora Messinias, 24600 Peloponnese, GreeceHellenic Agricultural Organisation “DEMETER”, Institute of Olive Tree, Subtropical Crops & Viticulture, Chania, 73100 Crete, GreeceA.S. Nileas–Agricultural Olive oil Cooperative, Agiou Dimitriou 36, Hora Messinias, 24600 Peloponnese, GreeceOlive cultivation is considered as one of the most significant agricultural activities in Greece, from a financial, social, and ecological point of view. Intensive cultivation practices in combination with the Mediterranean climate, lead to depletion of soil organic matter, erosion, desertification, and degradation of water resources. This paper describes sustainable olive crop management practices that were comparatively applied in 120 olive groves in Greece for 5 years with the participation of three farmers groups. Organic materials recycled in the olive groves during the present study were valuable sources of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Carbon content was highest in pruning residue (53.8–54.2%) while all materials studied were considered rich in C ranging between 41.9–46.2% (compost) and 34.9–42.5% (three-phase olive mill waste-OMW). The highest content in nitrogen was detected in compost (2–2.45%) followed by pruning residue (0.93–0.99%) and OMW (0.03–0.1%). Compost was considered a good source of phosphorus (0.3–0.6%) followed by pruning residue (0.08–0.13%) and OMW (0.01–0.3%). Potassium was also considerable in the organic materials recycled ranging 0.5–1.5% in compost followed by pruning residue (0.5–0.7%) and OMW (0.3–1.1%). Adoption of modified pruning also had important contribution toward sustainable management of olive trees. Sustainable pruning resulted in a well-balanced ratio between vegetative growth and fruiting (balanced, every year, in order to eradicate biennial bearing). Significant fluctuation in olive yields was observed in the first years of the project while yields were gradually stabilised by applying sustainable crop management. In parallel, yield increase without additional inputs, lowers the carbon—environmental footprint of the product regarding several environmental impact categories. Results can be integrated in the national agricultural and environmental policy in Mediterranean countries toward the achievement of a circular economy.https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/8/4/54carbon sequestrationcircular economycompostcover cropspruning |
| spellingShingle | G. Michalopoulos K. A. Kasapi G. Koubouris G. Psarras G. Arampatzis E. Hatzigiannakis V. Kavvadias C. Xiloyannis G. Montanaro S. Malliaraki A. Angelaki C. Manolaraki G. Giakoumaki S. Reppas N. Kourgialas G. Kokkinos Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices Climate carbon sequestration circular economy compost cover crops pruning |
| title | Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices |
| title_full | Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices |
| title_fullStr | Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices |
| title_short | Adaptation of Mediterranean Olive Groves to Climate Change through Sustainable Cultivation Practices |
| title_sort | adaptation of mediterranean olive groves to climate change through sustainable cultivation practices |
| topic | carbon sequestration circular economy compost cover crops pruning |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/8/4/54 |
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