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<pre>As a new grower just getting started in the olive business there is
no end to the issues that need to be addressed and considered on a
continuing basis.

The article on Stress & Water problems for Australian olive groves
in the September issue of Australian Olive Grower magazine touched
on a couple of points I am particularly interested in.

1) Grove management. with the view to promote good root development.

2) Mechanical harvesting and the potential impact it may have on
trees with poorly developed root systems.

The article sounded some warning bells but gave no clear indication
of management techniques that could be employed to address the issues.

Ratios of leaf canopies verses root coverage have been mentioned in
the past, but I have found scant info on ways of promoting and
effectively controlling the growth of these two features to maintain
what is considered the correct balance.

I find many articles are like this, they touch on issues and wet the
appetite, but fail to provide sufficient detail or reference for
further research.

The recent email posting #2675 from Roger Farquhar relating to
water management / control techniques provided some more useful info
on irrigation methods and crop yields that could be applied to olives.

Can anyone out there offer further inputs on how one can encouraging
the expansions of root systems, and how do you establish if a tree
is in or out of balance. ??

Are there any contacts and / or data sources available so that I can
develop a better understanding of the issues that need to be
considered and put into perspective. ???

Regards

Iain C Towers
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<pre>The whole subject of root development/grove management/plant vigour is
predicated by soil management. The existing plant profile of the olive
can be anecdotal and non specific. Perhaps it would be better to view
the subject as a general fruit tree with some characteristics perculiar
to olives. Therefore, well structured soil with sufficient macro & micro
nutrient levels should be the objective prior to planting. For the 'new
grower' this can only be properly obtained by a site survey by a
qualified soil scientist/horticulturalist using soil pits, soil samples
etc. From these results a program of soil works can be evolved. Whilst
these steps can initially appear to be expensive, it is far easier &
cheaper to fix any problems before rather than after planting. After
planting an annual soil & leaf analysis detailing any deficiencies
should guide you to achieving optimal growing conditions.

My previous posting on irrigation was to illustrate the degree of
sophistication needed to work these systems.

Roger Farquhar

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