scholarly journals Assessment of aerial and underground vibration transmission in mechanically trunk shaken olive trees

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben R. Sola-Guirado ◽  
Bruno Bernardi ◽  
Sergio Castro-García ◽  
Gregorio L. Blanco-Roldán ◽  
Souraya Benalia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Dynamic Resistance ◽  
Vibration Transmission ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Operational Frequency ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Dominant Vibration Frequency ◽  
Soil Dynamic

The present study analyses the transmission of vibrations generated from a multidirectional trunk shaker to olive tree structure considering both the aerial zone (trunk and branches) and the underground zone (the coarse root). The vibration characterization was conducted by measuring acceleration on several points of the tree during harvesting operations. The influence of two different heights of shaker head clamping was analysed. In addition, a dynamic probing was performed in order to evaluate soil compaction. The results showed that the vibration performed by the trunk shaker head, corresponding to an acceleration resultant of approximately 77 ms–2 with a dominant vibration frequency of 18 Hz, increased up to 106% in branches and decreased up to 90% in trunks. At root level, where the analysis was carried out at 1/3 and 2/3 of the coarse root length, the acceleration values diminished significantly to 17 ms–2 and 12 ms–2, respectively. Soil dynamic resistance was lower (36 kg cm–2) near the trees than between the trees (53 kg cm–2). The vibration transmission to the aerial and the underground parts diversely influences the dynamic behaviour of the olive tree, considering an operational frequency of a commercial trunk shaker. The assessment of vibration transmission to the aerial part could contribute to improve fruit detachment and reduce branch breaking and leaf detachment. While vibration transmission to the underground part rises new challenges considering soil compaction in olive groves.

scholarly journals Estimating Productivity, Detecting Biotic Disturbances and Assessing the Health State of Traditional Olive Groves, Using Nondestructive Phenotypic Techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Yiannis G. Zevgolis ◽  
Efstratios Kamatsos ◽  
Triantaphyllos Akriotis ◽  
Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos ◽  
Andreas Y. Troumbis
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Leaf Spot Disease ◽  
Health State ◽  
Olive Grove ◽  
Thermal Indices ◽  
Health States ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Olive Trees

Conservation of traditional olive groves through effective monitoring of their health state is crucial both at a tree and at a population level. In this study, we introduce a comprehensive methodological framework for estimating the traditional olive grove health state, by considering the fundamental phenotypic, spectral, and thermal traits of the olive trees. We obtained phenotypic information from olive trees on the Greek island of Lesvos by combining this with in situ measurement of spectral reflectance and thermal indices to investigate the effect of the olive tree traits on productivity, the presence of the olive leaf spot disease (OLS), and olive tree classification based on their health state. In this context, we identified a suite of important features, derived from linear and logistic regression models, which can explain productivity and accurately evaluate infected and noninfected trees. The results indicated that either specific traits or combinations of them are statistically significant predictors of productivity, while the occurrence of OLS symptoms can be identified by both the olives’ vitality traits and by the thermal variables. Finally, the classification of olive trees into different health states possibly offers significant information to explain traditional olive grove dynamics for their sustainable management.

scholarly journals Effect of sustainable management of olive tree residues on soil fertility in irrigated and rain-fed olive orchards

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kavvadias ◽  
M. Papadopoulou ◽  
E. Vavoulidou ◽  
S. Theocharopoulos ◽  
G. Koubouris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Olive Trees

Abstract Olive trees are a major source of agricultural residues. Strategies based on different management of organic amendments have been reported to increase soil fertility. The effect of sustainable organic matter input practices (application of shredded pruning residue and olive residue compost to soil) on soil properties in irrigated and rain-fed olive groves was investigated. The study took place in 40 olive groves in the region of Peza, island of Crete, Greece during a 5-year period (2012–2017). The results showed that olive trees play an important role in soil nutrient conservation under semi-arid conditions in the Mediterranean basin. The addition of olive tree residues, in combination with conservation tillage practices, improved soil fertility over the experimental period. Most of the soil properties were favored by irrigation. In olive soil parcels receiving organic materials the soil organic matter and the total nitrogen were increased in irrigated fields. The ability of surface soil to sequester carbon and nutrients beneath the tree canopy of olive groves was high. It is recommended that sustainable soil management practices should consider soil fertility variability of olive orchards.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Work Productivity and Costs of a Stationary Chipper Applied to the Harvesting of Olive Tree Pruning for Bio-Energy Production

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Suardi ◽  
Francesco Latterini ◽  
Vincenzo Alfano ◽  
Nadia Palmieri ◽  
Simone Bergonzoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Machine Performance ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Biomass Resources ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Olive Trees

Pruning residues could represent an important biomass resources for energy production. Only in Italy it has been estimated that an annual quantity of biomass of over 2600 kt of dry matter could be obtained from olive residues. Several machines developed for pruning harvesting are available in the market, most of which are tractor-driven, while limited knowledge is available on performance, quality of work and costs of harvesting logistics based on stationary chippers. The aim of the present paper is to analyze machine performance of a forestry stationary chipper applied to pruning harvesting for what concerns work productivity, quality of the comminuted product and harvesting operating costs. This system is actually applied by Fiusis Company, an Italian enterprise which manages a biomass power plant exclusively powered by olive trees’ pruning residues, and it has never been analyzed in literature. The results obtained showed consistent work productivity, which resulted the highest ever found in olive pruning harvesting systems and equal to 5.23 ± 0.81 tdm·h−1. This high work productivity allowed also to obtain a little economic gain from a matter, which is actually considered a problem for olive groves’ owners and not a potential source of income. In particular, the use of a stationary chipper seemed very efficient in olive groves with a consistent amount of wooden residues to be processed and with big branches not harvestable by the most common towed pruning harvester. In addition, the stationary chipper has the advantage of avoiding the preliminary raking operation, which results in reduced costs for the farmer.

scholarly journals Soil water content and olive tree yield responses to soil management, irrigation, and precipitation in a hilly Mediterranean area

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 672-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Arampatzis ◽  
E. Hatzigiannakis ◽  
V. Pisinaras ◽  
N. Kourgialas ◽  
G. Psarras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Olive Trees

Abstract Olive trees constitute one of the most dynamic cultivations for Mediterranean countries, while their economic importance is high. As water constitutes a fundamental factor affecting olive tree production, soil water content is a most critical parameter that must be monitored to improve olive trees’ cultivation management. Effects of precipitation, irrigation, and soil management on water content in four soil depths (10, 20, 30, 40 cm), four periods of the year (February–March, April–May, June–July, August–September) and three successive years were determined in 12 Mediterranean olive groves (Trifilia, southern Greece) as well as their respective fruit and olive oil yields. Significantly higher soil water content was recorded in the first (+16.8%) and third (+27.4%) year compared to the second year. Higher (+6.8%) water content was observed in irrigated olive groves compared to rainfed fields. Higher (+5.6%) water content was observed in sustainable olive groves compared to intensively managed fields. Significantly, higher soil moisture was recorded at 40 and 30 cm depth compared to 10 cm depth while intermediate values were observed at 20 cm. Marked increase in fruit yield was achieved through sustainable management (+39%) compared to intensive olive groves. The potential to improve irrigation practices in the area was also indicated by results of the present study.

scholarly journals Moving toward the north? The spatial shift of olive groves in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Filippo Gambella ◽  
Leonardo Bianchini ◽  
Massimo Cecchini ◽  
Gianluca Egidi ◽  
Agostino Ferrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Tree Distribution ◽  
The North ◽  
Spatial Shift ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Local Warming ◽  
Olive Trees

Southern Europe is becoming a hotspot for climate change. Appropriate mechanisation is necessary for reducing soil compacting in such contexts. The olive tree distribution – a typical Mediterranean crop – showed a well-defined latitude gradient with progressive decline moving towards the north. Climate change, however, has supposed to cause a significant shift towards the north in the geographical range of olive trees. Our study analyses the spatial distribution of the olive tree area in Italy, a region within the species' ecological range apart from the Northern region, which is now becoming progressively specialised in this crop because of local warming. Results indicate that olive cultivated area increased in Northern Italy, especially in flat districts and upland areas, while decreasing (more or less rapidly) in central and southern Italy because of land abandonment.

Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Babcox
Keyword(s):  
Olive Tree ◽  
Photographic Images ◽  
The Future ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
The Many ◽  
Radical Transformation

Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane is a suite of photographic images of each of the twenty-three olive trees in the garden. Situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the Garden of Gethsemane is known to many as the site where Jesus and his disciples prayed the night before his crucifixion. The oldest trees in the garden date to 1092 and are recognized as some of the oldest olive trees in existence. The older trees are a living and symbolic connection to the distant past, while younger trees serve as a link to the future. The gnarled trunks seem written with the many conflicts that have been waged in an effort to control this most-contested city; a city constantly on the threshold of radical transformation.

scholarly journals Semi-Automatic Method for Early Detection of Xylella fastidiosa in Olive Trees Using UAV Multispectral Imagery and Geostatistical-Discriminant Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Annamaria Castrignanò ◽  
Antonella Belmonte ◽  
Ilaria Antelmi ◽  
Ruggiero Quarto ◽  
Francesco Quarto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Parametric Classification ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Olive Trees

Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp) is one of the most dangerous plant pathogens in the world. Identified in 2013 in olive trees in south–eastern Italy, it is spreading to the Mediterranean countries. The bacterium is transmitted by insects that feed on sap, and causes rapid wilting in olive trees. The paper explores the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in combination with a multispectral radiometer for early detection of infection. The study was carried out in three olive groves in the Apulia region (Italy) and involved four drone flights from 2017 to 2019. To classify Xfp severity level in olive trees at an early stage, a combined method of geostatistics and discriminant analysis was implemented. The results of cross-validation for the non-parametric classification method were of overall accuracy = 0.69, mean error rate = 0.31, and for the early detection class of accuracy 0.77 and misclassification probability 0.23. The results are promising and encourage the application of UAV technology for the early detection of Xfp infection.

scholarly journals Analytical Characterization of Water-Soluble Constituents in Olive-Derived By-Products

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1299
Author(s):  
Pablo Doménech ◽  
Aleta Duque ◽  
Isabel Higueras ◽  
José Luis Fernández ◽  
Paloma Manzanares
Keyword(s):  
Olive Tree ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Olive Pomace ◽  
Olive Leaves ◽  
Olive Stone ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Tree Pruning ◽  
By Products

Olive trees constitute one of the largest agroindustries in the Mediterranean area, and their cultivation generates a diverse pool of biomass by-products such as olive tree pruning (OTP), olive leaves (OL), olive stone (OS), and extracted olive pomace (EOP). These lignocellulosic materials have varying compositions and potential utilization strategies within a biorefinery context. The aim of this work was to carry out an integral analysis of the aqueous extractives fraction of these biomasses. Several analytical methods were applied in order to fully characterize this fraction to varying extents: a mass closure of >80% was reached for EOP, >76% for OTP, >65% for OS, and >52% for OL. Among the compounds detected, xylooligosaccharides, mannitol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol, and hydroxytyrosol were noted as potential enhancers of the valorization of said by-products. The extraction of these compounds is expected to be more favorable for OTP, OL, and EOP, given their high extractives content, and is compatible with other utilization strategies such as the bioconversion of the lignocellulosic fraction into biofuels and bioproducts.

scholarly journals Processing Effect and Characterization of Olive Oils from Spanish Wild Olive Trees (Olea europaea var. sylvestris)

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1304
Author(s):  
Francisco Espínola ◽  
Alfonso M. Vidal ◽  
Juan M. Espínola ◽  
Manuel Moya
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Volatile Compounds ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Extraction Yield ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Analytical Point ◽  
Wild Olive ◽  
Olive Trees

Wild olive trees have important potential, but, to date, the oil from wild olives has not been studied significantly, especially from an analytical point of view. In Spain, the wild olive tree is called “Acebuche” and its fruit “Acebuchina”. The objective of this work is to optimize the olive oil production process from the Acebuchina cultivar and characterize the oil, which could be marketed as healthy and functional food. A Box–Behnken experimental design with five central points was used, along with the Response Surface Methodology to obtain a mathematical experimental model. The oils from the Acebuchina cultivar meet the requirements for human consumption and have a good balance of fatty acids. In addition, the oils are rich in antioxidants and volatile compounds. The highest extraction yield, 12.0 g oil/100 g paste, was obtained at 90.0 min and the highest yield of phenolic compounds, 870.0 mg/kg, was achieved at 40.0 °C, and 90.0 min; but the maximum content of volatile compounds, 26.9 mg/kg, was obtained at 20 °C and 30.0 min. The oil yield is lower than that of commercial cultivars, but the contents of volatile and phenolic compounds is higher.

scholarly journals Controlling the Spatial Spread of a Xylella Epidemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Aniţa ◽  
Vincenzo Capasso ◽  
Simone Scacchi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Xylella Fastidiosa ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Weed Biomass ◽  
Spatial Spread ◽  
Olive Trees

AbstractIn a recent paper by one of the authors and collaborators, motivated by the Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) outbreak, which has been ongoing in Southern Italy since 2013, a simple epidemiological model describing this epidemic was presented. Beside the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, the main players considered in the model are its insect vectors, Philaenus spumarius, and the host plants (olive trees and weeds) of the insects and of the bacterium. The model was based on a system of ordinary differential equations, the analysis of which provided interesting results about possible equilibria of the epidemic system and guidelines for its numerical simulations. Although the model presented there was mathematically rather simplified, its analysis has highlighted threshold parameters that could be the target of control strategies within an integrated pest management framework, not requiring the removal of the productive resource represented by the olive trees. Indeed, numerical simulations support the outcomes of the mathematical analysis, according to which the removal of a suitable amount of weed biomass (reservoir of Xylella fastidiosa) from olive orchards and surrounding areas resulted in the most efficient strategy to control the spread of the OQDS. In addition, as expected, the adoption of more resistant olive tree cultivars has been shown to be a good strategy, though less cost-effective, in controlling the pathogen. In this paper for a more realistic description and a clearer interpretation of the proposed control measures, a spatial structure of the epidemic system has been included, but, in order to keep mathematical technicalities to a minimum, only two players have been described in a dynamical way, trees and insects, while the weed biomass is taken to be a given quantity. The control measures have been introduced only on a subregion of the whole habitat, in order to contain costs of intervention. We show that such a practice can lead to the eradication of an epidemic outbreak. Numerical simulations confirm both the results of the previous paper and the theoretical results of the model with a spatial structure, though subject to regional control only.

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