New Zealand - ONZ Focus Groves Project
Focus Grove Project finishes on fruitful note This report outlines the status and practices of the groves taking part in the Olives New Zealand Focus Grove Project. It includes observations by project consultant Dr Stuart Tustin, information from grove owners and discussions with attendees, during the sixth and final round of Focus Grove Visits and Field Days held in March 2022. Focus Groves status
Nelson Kakariki Olives, Redwood Valley - Ray and Brenda Gregory Another of the original Focus Groves, Kakariki has shown outstanding improvement in grove health and increased production. In 2021 the grove produced on average 14.36kg/tree and 12.98% yield, compared with the regional averages of 12.48kg and 11.62% respectively. Kakariki is a commercial grove of more than 3,000 trees, which is fully integrated from grove management through harvesting and processing. Kakariki has consistently been a top producing grove, and a consistent winner of Gold medals for both its EVOO and flavoured oils.
“Fertiliser application input should be directly linked to an identified deficiency, done through annual soil tests and an initial annual leaf test, followed by a second to measure effectiveness and fine tune if required.” At Two Old Soldiers, Gordon and Malcom explained their pruning trial.
Disease management Rains following the 2021 harvest had impacted on the spray program because it was impossible to get out into the grove, resulting in signs of Peacock Spot and Anthracnose noted at the October Field Day. Stuart had recommended the addition of an eradicant to the next Manzate applications to provide a rapid response. Two rounds of Score with Manzate had been applied which had addressed the problem and very little disease was noted on this visit. The recommended three applications of Protek were applied at flowering, 10 days apart, with boron added to the first and third applications. Canopy management Post-harvest pruning was a continuation of major limb removal and most trees now have just one original limb left. They are currently halfway through a second prune, removing stump regrowth and thinning new growth where needed. Nutrition Following the last field day and soil test, Blaukorn Classic was applied at 80kg/ha. This is a granulated solid inorganic macronutrient fertilizer for crops with high K demand, rich in potassium and with a moderate proportion of phosphate. Dolomite was also applied to increase magnesium and calcium. The latest leaf test in February showed a low nitrogen content, so Low Biuret Urea at 4kg/ha is being added to the Manzate to counter the nitrogen deficiency. This will continue for 3-4 applications, to help fruit growth and set up the trees for next year. Crop load It was a poor flowering season on 80% of the grove, with 20% not producing any flowers at all. Possible reasons were four months
with no spray protection on trees due to weather, or perhaps the late harvest (due to COVID delays to harvester repairs) has moved the trees into biennial mode. Particularly, there was no fruit on five rows of olives which were not harvested until August, or not harvested at all. These trees failed to flower, against all normal expectations for their condition and growth. Stuart noted an Australian RIRDC report which suggests delayed harvesting can affect the following year’s fruit set. This publication shows a direct link between protracted or delayed harvest and potential crop loss (reduction in flowering) for the next year. Contrasting this, there was great fruit set on the Focus Grove Frantoio block, along with good extension growth - 15cm from fruit to new growing tip. This block had been harvested efficiently at the optimum time. Neudorf Olives, Upper Moutere - Nik and Fiona Elbrecht (new owners) Neudorf Olives had previously been part of the Project, following a reduced Manzate spray program. When the grove was sold in 2021 the new owners requested that the program be ceased, so this Field Day provided an opportunity to return to Neudorf and discuss future options for the grove. The grove has 1300 trees - 300 Koroneiki, 550 Frantoio and 450 Leccino - and previous owner Susan Pine summarised grove management prior to handover to the new owners. Foliar fertilizer sprays GrowMore and Finish-it have been applied, and up to 12 months ago also Manzate, but only prior to rain. The skirts and suckers were pruned three times per year. Issue 124 • June 2022 • Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor • 31
