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<pre>The Bega Valley in which Tanja Olives is situated is known for having
pockets of boron deficient soils. Unfortunately, for olive growing, I live
in one of those areas and like a number of other Australian growers have
seen this shortage of boron manifest itself principally in the Kalamata
variety with bronzing or yellowing of leaves and in one particular area
severe necrosis of upper tips and small branches.
Having recently discovered this [ being led to believe it was a
problem of too much water by an irrigation 'expert' experienced in overseas
olive plantations ] I then found that farmers of other crops in the area
also had classic systems of boron deficiency -hollow stems in vegetable
crops, missing kernels in corn cobs etc.
Although I've begun treatment of this situation with applications
of soluble borax in a softly-softly approach to avoid toxicity I still seem
to have some problem with a slight lumpiness on much of the Kalamata fruit.
These effected olives also appear blotchy as they change from green to black
instead of the normal gradation of colour in other olives.
Is this also another manifestation of boron deficiency and have any
other Kalamata growers seen this in their fruit?
My suspicion to blame shortage of boron is supported by severe
lumpiness and woodiness in the fruit of a pear tree I have in my orchard
which I am informed is another common boron deficient problem.
I intend to have a leaf analysis done on the Kalamata trees to give
an accurate indication of any boron shortage but have been told that it
should be done in summer, preferably January [Southern Hemisphere] Is that
accurate advice?
I would be grateful for any observations, suggestions or advice in
this matter.
Alan
Watt

Tanja Olives









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<pre>Allan, I to have a boron problem, the leaf analysis being 16 (NR 19-150) I
intent to foliar spray with solubor but would like some advice on the rate ,
frequence coverage etc. what are people doing? These are 2 year old trees

Richard
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<pre>> Although I've begun treatment of this situation with applications
> of soluble borax in a softly-softly approach to avoid toxicity I still
seem
> to have some problem with a slight lumpiness on much of the Kalamata
fruit.
> These effected olives also appear blotchy as they change from green to
black
> instead of the normal gradation of colour in other olives.
> Is this also another manifestation of boron deficiency and have
any
> other Kalamata growers seen this in their fruit?

My symptoms were leaf yellowing, with the tip dieing, and a lot of leaf
drop. Some branches lost 80% of the foliage, looking a lot like water
stress, but probably boron deficient related. Hard to prove. The colour
seems quite even, no blotchiness.


> My suspicion to blame shortage of boron is supported by severe
> lumpiness and woodiness in the fruit of a pear tree I have in my orchard
> which I am informed is another common boron deficient problem.
> I intend to have a leaf analysis done on the Kalamata trees to
give
> an accurate indication of any boron shortage but have been told that it
> should be done in summer, preferably January [Southern Hemisphere] Is
that
> accurate advice?

I had a leaf analysis done in January, which showed up both boron & copper
deficiency. I am reluctant to spray while there is still a crop to pick, but
the fruit is due to come off this week, so after Easter I'll get into it
with several mild sprays, about 2 weeks apart, to monitor results and avoid
toxicity. I don't think there is a bad time for analysis, its just that
summer is best as the trees should be actively growing and any deficiencies
will show up clearer.

We have had such a wet summer that it is difficult to know which problem is
which! I intend to put the copper and boron sprays on mixed in with white
oil and malathion to shift the olive lace bug that has taken residence on
many of the trees. Has anybody found problems with this sort of chemical
mix?

One of the other things I noticed with my sick kalamata was that the paragon
rootstock had taken over from the kalamata scion in some instances. I hadn't
been vigilant enough to keep the rootstock suckers down, and now have some
trees that are 70% paragon, 30% kalamata. Definitely one to watch.

Mike Wilson.
Hunter Valley.
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