Developments in the olive oil industry over the last few years have made it more important to introduce advanced irrigation systems in both traditional and new plantations.

Netafim’s strategy for olive irrigation has taken into account the relevant issues in the olive industry:

• Scarcity of water: in many growing areas, water is a limiting factor in production.
• Rain distribution during the year, and the importance of creating a developed root system.
• Introduction of harvesting machinery.
• Soil cultivation and weed control.
• Special needs of young plantations for establishing proper systems.
• Water consumption by the olive trees and their response to water stress.
• Balance between rain and evapo-transpiration rates, which determine the possible accumulation of salinity.
• Types of soil.
• Root system characteristics of olive plantations.

Schematic distribution of water expansion in various soils

At present, many growers use sub-surface irrigation in olives and other crops as well. Netafim’s experience in sub-surface drip irrigation shows clear advantages.

Advantages of sub-surface irrigation in olives:

• Prevents water loss due to low rates of evaporation and drainage.
• Decreases weed spread infestation.
• Reduces problems of mechanical harvest.
• Solves problems of vandalism (partly).
• Saves labor on maintenance.
• Will probably improve uptake of several macroelements and microelements, mainly phosphor, when compared to surface drip irrigation (this finding has been observed in other crops).
• Air/water ratio is expected to be better.
• Easier to cultivate.