Olive Leaf Analysis

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LEAF ANALYSIS - Test only

Analyses:
N, S, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, B, Na, Mo, Cl, & NO3.

As a general rule you should collect the youngest fully expanded leaves available.

General sampling instructions

  • In designing your sampling plan try to select trees/ bushes etc of the same variety and rootstock along the sampling path. A typical random sampling pattern is shown below.
  • Exclude pollinators and diseased or otherwise abnormal trees and bushes.
  • Exclude dusty or soil contaminated plants and do not sample fields within 3-5 days after being sprayed with pesticides or foliar nutrients.

analysisau-sampling2.gif  

IMPORTANT - UNLESS OTHERWISE ADVISED, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU SEND AT LEAST ABOUT 200 GRAMS (ABOUT TWO HAND FULLS) OF FRESH PLANT MATERIAL FOR EACH SAMPLE REQUIRING LABORATORY ANALYSIS.

Method:

FOR OLIVES: Collect youngest mature leaf at mid portion of the current seasons non-fruiting laterals (extension growth), taken at shoulder height.

Please state clearly on the analysis request form that the Olive/Nectarine method of sampling has been used.


Delivery not included
File Title File Description Type Section
Soil__Leaf_Analysis_2.pdf Soil & Leaf Analysis Specifications Document
Soil__Leaf_Analysis_-_colour_copy.pdf Soil & Leaf Analysis Sampling Procedure Manuals Document

4 Factors In Grove Management To Focus On For Next Olive Harvest

The Grove Management Plan: Essential Areas to Focus On

A successful Grove Management Plan must cover these key areas:

  • Irrigation
  • Nutrition
  • Pruning 
  • Pest and Disease Control

Irrigation

"A grove without an effective irrigation system is unlikely to deliver consistent yields year after year. Many growers still underestimate the water needs of olive trees, and few actually monitor soil moisture levels. This is why so many groves have never achieved a commercial crop."  Marcelo Berlanda Specialist Olive Consultant

Water stress negatively affects flowering, fruit set, oil accumulation (oil production), fruit size (table olives), fruit quality, and overall tree health. However, many growers lack a proper system to monitor soil moisture or manage irrigation effectively. 

Marcelo recommends:

"Growers should inspect soil moisture weekly during spring and summer, and every two weeks in autumn and winter. Use a shovel to dig at least 400mm under the tree canopy to check moisture. If the soil is hard to dig, it’s too dry – even if the canopy shows no visible signs of stress." 

Advanced soil moisture monitoring tools can also provide reliable data on a digital display or computer dashboard. 

For optimal grove health, growers must consistently check soil moisture and prevent water stress.

Nutrition

As discussed previously, taking leaf samples is essential to assess your trees’ nutritional status. This information guides the creation of a fertiliser program, a critical component for boosting or maintaining yields.

Typically, no fertiliser is needed in winter, unless you’re addressing soil amendments. However, some groves have severe nutrient deficiencies requiring fertiliser even in winter. Where proper irrigation systems aren’t in place, growers must broadcast fertiliser before rain to allow rainfall to incorporate nutrients into the soil profile, an inefficient use of resources but often the only option.

When applying fertiliser in these conditions, target the area beneath the canopy and, if possible, cultivate the soil to improve incorporation and reduce product loss.

Olives need four essential nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium. Check product labels carefully. As a general guideline, aim for:

  • Nitrogen 15%
  • Phosphorus 5% or less
  • Potassium 10% or less
  • Calcium 2% or less

Pruning

Avoid pruning during the coldest part of winter and when it’s wet or foggy to reduce the risk of bacterial and fungal disease spread.

The main goals of pruning are to remove dead wood, reduce canopy size, restore tree balance, encourage healthy new growth, and increase fruit set in spring.

Tip: After pruning, apply a copper-based spray to protect wounds from infection by fungi and bacteria.

Pest and Disease Control

Pest and disease management is crucial for sustaining yield and tree health. Winter’s colder temperatures reduce insect activity, offering a prime time to tackle pest issues.

Set up a comprehensive Pest and Disease Monitoring Program. During winter, check marked trees (previously affected by pests or diseases) every two weeks; in spring, check weekly. Look under leaves and on new growth for signs like crawlers, yellow spots, black sooty mold, or anything unusual.

Proactive, weekly management is essential for a successful grove.

If you need further assistance, please contact us.

Herbicide Use in Olive Groves from Managing the Risk to Pollination and Yields

Herbicides are a crucial tool in modern agriculture, but recent research highlights an unintended consequence that olive producers must consider—potential harm to pollination. A study by Dummer et al. (2025) has identified that common herbicides, including glyphosate and 2,4-D, significantly impair olive pollen germination, raising serious concerns about their impact on fruit set and overall yield.
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Bark Photosynthesis in Olive Trees

While leaves are the primary sites of photosynthesis in plants, bark photosynthesis, also known as corticular photosynthesis, plays a significant role in the carbon economy of woody plants, including olive trees (Olea europaea). This process involves the fixation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) by the green tissues in the bark, contributing to the tree's overall photosynthetic capacity, especially under stress conditions.
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