Olive Tree

This study evaluated the potential of glauconitic sandstone as a fertilizer for supplying potassium to plants. The glauconite sandstone (Maraveh, Iran), as analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, was composed of 2.24% potassium oxide plus high contents of silicon, aluminum and ferric oxide. One-year old olive trees, Olea europaea L., were grown in sand or hydroponic culture in a greenhouse under three potassium treatments. Modified Hoagland nutrient solutions based on potassium treatments including 0.5 mM K+, 5 mM K+ and 400 g glauconitic sandstone powders (per 10 L in hydroponics and per 2.5 L in sand instead of K+ supply) were used in both cultures. Plants grown under the three different potassium treatments did not show any potassium deficiency symptoms. In the sand culture, growth and potassium content were higher in plants fed with 5 mM potassium than with the other two potassium treatments. Growth retardation and decreased potassium content in plants fed with 0.5 mM potassium were more severe in the hydroponic culture than in the sand culture. However, plants fed with 400 g glauconitic sandstone showed higher growth in the hydroponic culture than the sand culture. Thus, glauconitic sandstone has the ability to release potassium and can be utilized in combination with other potassium fertilizers.

Summary An investigation on Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) was conducted in three marginal regions of the olive production in the center and northern Italy - Marche (Offida-AP), Emilia Romagna (Brisighella-RA) and Trentino (Sarca valley - TN) - during 2003-2004 period. We evidenced the presence of saprophytic micoflora in all samples and the presence of V. dahliae only in the

To assess the genetic diversity of the most important olive cultivars used in Portugal, a base collection was established with two hundred and one accessions of eleven cultivars from the different agro-ecological-regions (AER) of olive oil production. Inter-cultivar diversity was evaluated using seven RAPD primers producing fifty-nine polymorphic markers that enable cultivar distinction. Discriminant analysis according to fruit use and AER revealed a genetic structure associated with local selection both for fruit exploitation and agro-ecological adaptation. Intra-cultivar diversity of the ancient cultivar ‘Galega’ was also investigated. Three RAPD and five ISSR primers produced ninety-three polymorphic markers upon seventy-seven accessions from five AERs. Total accession discrimination was achieved. UPGMA clustering and discriminant analysis revealed that the genetic diversity was predominantly structured according to accessions origin. The within and among AER variation revealed by AMOVA supported this genetic structure and showed a high proportion of intra-AER variability. These evidences suggest that ‘Galega’ is composed by a mixture of different genotypes adapted to local conditions, indicating that this cultivar is in an early stage of domestication and should be treated as a landrace instead of a uniform cultivar. The assessment of ‘Galega’ genetic diversity within each of the five AERs indicated the highest significant level (Hg = 6.23 at p

SUMMARY To collect information on the incidence of Verticilli- um wilt of olive in Apulia (southern Italy), about 6,000 woody samples from 1,390 young and old olive or- chards were analysed. Moreover, 565 soil samples from commercial orchards and nurseries located all over Apulia region were tested for the presence of V. dahliae microsclerotia. Verticillium wilt was found in the

A survey carried out among olive tree growers in different districts of southern Spain allows the identification and analysis of factors related with adoption of several technical and institutional innovations. At that respect, a composite numerical index has been performed including all innovations considered, among then the following: changes in orchard structure, non or reduced tillage, use of tree vibrators for harvesting, non conventional methods for fighting pests and diseases, keeping an accounting systems, annual farm planning, level of information and awareness of the European CMO in relation to olive oils, etc. Structural and managerial variables of the orchard and personal characteristics of the grower, related to the composite innovation index, have been identified. In a second step, two similar separate analysis have been made for both technical and institutional innovations, and several conclusions have, finally, been drawn concerning factors that should enhance both t...

Reflet de l’imagerie du moment, l’iconographie des monnaies grecques apporte une vision « matérialisée » de l’histoire des cités (polis). Parfait support de l’idéologie, la monnaie se révèle constituer un élément « majeur » dans la diffusion des thèmes propres à chacun des émetteurs. Parmi les innombrables sujets illustrés par la monnaie, nous avons choisi d’aborder celui de l’olivier, arbre « nourricier et mythique » du monde méditerranéen qui continue à faire la réputation de notre région. Ce motif, généralement « secondaire » sur ces frappes, accompagne sous diverses formes des compositions très variées.

Monumental olive trees, with their longevity and their remarkable size, represent an important information source for the comprehension of the territory where they grow and the human societies that have kept them through time. Across the centuries, olive trees are the only cultivated plants that tell the story of Mediterranean landscapes. The same as stone monuments, these green monuments represent a real Mediterranean natural and cultural heritage. The aim of this paper is to discuss the value of monumental trees as "biocultural heritage" elements and the role they play in the interpretation of the historical stratification of the landscape. We present the results of a survey of the most significant olive trees growing in Sicily. The selection was based on the "monumentality" aspects of trees, taking into account dendrometric parameters and environmental contexts. The collected dataset constitutes a heterogeneous sample of 367 specimens of considerable size that, in some cases, reach a circumference of about 19 m. Starting from the data presented here, the whole Sicilian territory shows a historical relationship between human and olive. The presence of these plant monuments is, therefore, evidence of long-term, often centennial, landscapes as a result of sustainable use of the territory.

Abstract1. Spatial distribution patterns of Saissetia oleae (Oliv.) are analysed at the plant level on olive tree in Granada, and biological interpretation is given.2. S. oleae tends to be distributed in colonies as a result of its characteristic mode of reproduction and dispersal: mass deposition of eggs followed by limited mobility of subsequent stages.3. Grouping tendency decreases with the increasing age of the insect, as a consequence of both the action of mortality factors and dispersal during the biological cycle. However, positive values of Iwao's α-parameter all along the cycle indicate that even at a very low density several individuals tend to live together in the same quadrat.4. The value of Iwao's β-parameter may indicate a weak tendency of aggregation in the dispersion pattern of colonies due to the response of the insect, through movements or survival, to the heterogeneous conditions of its habitat.5. The constancy of β during the insect cycle suggests no density dependence of the process of dispersal and the operation of mortality factors.6. Most samples fit the negative binomial distribution.1. Spatial distribution patterns of Saissetia oleae (Oliv.) are analysed at the plant level on olive tree in Granada, and biological interpretation is given.2. S. oleae tends to be distributed in colonies as a result of its characteristic mode of reproduction and dispersal: mass deposition of eggs followed by limited mobility of subsequent stages.3. Grouping tendency decreases with the increasing age of the insect, as a consequence of both the action of mortality factors and dispersal during the biological cycle. However, positive values of Iwao's α-parameter all along the cycle indicate that even at a very low density several individuals tend to live together in the same quadrat.4. The value of Iwao's β-parameter may indicate a weak tendency of aggregation in the dispersion pattern of colonies due to the response of the insect, through movements or survival, to the heterogeneous conditions of its habitat.5. The constancy of β during the insect cycle suggests no density dependence of the process of dispersal and the operation of mortality factors.6. Most samples fit the negative binomial distribution.ZusammenfassungZur räumlichen Verteilung verschiedener Entwicklungsstadien von Saissetia oleae (Oliv.) auf Olivenbäumen in Granada1. In einer Ohvenplantage in Granada wurden räumliche Verteilungsmuster von Saissetia oleae analysiert und unter biologischen Aspekten diskutiert.2. Infolge eines charakteristischen Reproduktions- und Verteilungsverhaltens — massierte Eiablage, gefolgt von einer eingeschränkten Mobilität in den folgenden Entwicklungsstadien — tendiert S. oleae dazu, in Kolonien zu leben.3. Die Tendenz der Kolonie-Bildung nimmt mit zunehmendem Alter infolge von Mortalität und weiterer Verteilung im Laute des Entwieklungszvklus ab. Jedoch zeigen die positiven Werte des Iwao α-Parameters, daß die Individuen während des gesamten Entwicklungszyklus selbst bei sehr geringer Dichte dazu tendieren, im selben Quadrat zu leben.4. Der Wert des Iwao β-Parameters scheint eine schwache Tendenz zur Aggregationsbildung für das Verteilungsmuster der Kolonien anzuzeigen, was auf die Reaktionen des Insekts auf heterogene Habitatbedingungen beruht.5. Die Konstanz des β-Werts während des gesamten Entwicklungszyklus weist darauf hin, daß die Verteilung und die Mortalitätsfaktoren dichteunabhängig sind.6. Die meisten Stichproben entsprachen einer negativen Binomial-Verteilung.Zur räumlichen Verteilung verschiedener Entwicklungsstadien von Saissetia oleae (Oliv.) auf Olivenbäumen in Granada1. In einer Ohvenplantage in Granada wurden räumliche Verteilungsmuster von Saissetia oleae analysiert und unter biologischen Aspekten diskutiert.2. Infolge eines charakteristischen Reproduktions- und Verteilungsverhaltens — massierte Eiablage, gefolgt von einer eingeschränkten Mobilität in den folgenden Entwicklungsstadien — tendiert S. oleae dazu, in Kolonien zu leben.3. Die Tendenz der Kolonie-Bildung nimmt mit zunehmendem Alter infolge von Mortalität und weiterer Verteilung im Laute des Entwieklungszvklus ab. Jedoch zeigen die positiven Werte des Iwao α-Parameters, daß die Individuen während des gesamten Entwicklungszyklus selbst bei sehr geringer Dichte dazu tendieren, im selben Quadrat zu leben.4. Der Wert des Iwao β-Parameters scheint eine schwache Tendenz zur Aggregationsbildung für das Verteilungsmuster der Kolonien anzuzeigen, was auf die Reaktionen des Insekts auf heterogene Habitatbedingungen beruht.5. Die Konstanz des β-Werts während des gesamten Entwicklungszyklus weist darauf hin, daß die Verteilung und die Mortalitätsfaktoren dichteunabhängig sind.6. Die meisten Stichproben entsprachen einer negativen Binomial-Verteilung.

Monumental olive trees, with their longevity and their remarkable size, represent an important information source for the comprehension of the territory where they grow and the human societies that have kept them through time. Across the centuries, olive trees are the only cultivated plants that tell the story of Mediterranean landscapes. The same as stone monuments, these green monuments represent a real Mediterranean natural and cultural heritage. The aim of this paper is to discuss the value of monumental trees as “biocultural heritage” elements and the role they play in the interpretation of the historical stratification of the landscape. We present the results of a survey of the most significant olive trees growing in Sicily. The selection was based on the “monumentality” aspects of trees, taking into account dendrometric parameters and environmental contexts. The collected dataset constitutes a heterogeneous sample of 367 specimens of considerable size that, in some cases, rea...

... Landscape and Urban Planning Volume 69, Issue 1, 15 July 2004, Pages 115-125. ... An application based on two Mediterranean rural areas in Andalusia in Southern Spain is ... exist between landscape components and the scenic preferences of observers (Palmer, 1983, Daniel ...

A new disease of Trachyspermum ammi, commonly known as Ajwain in India, was observed in Lucknow, India. The symptoms included small chlorotic leaves, highly proliferating shoots, witches’ broom appearance, shortened internodes and an overall stunted growth. Poor flower heads and fruit setting caused considerable yield losses for farmers. In transmission electron microscopy, pleomorphic bodies were detected in the phloem cells of diseased plants but not in those of healthy plants. The disease etiology was investigated using direct and nested polymerase chain reaction with phytoplasma-specific primers, DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this phytoplasma clustered in the 16SrVI group. A 1,249 bp sequence (FJ970035) of the 16S rRNA gene from the phytoplasma showed 99% homology with the 16S rRNA gene, (FJ427295) of Ca. Phytoplasma trifolii strain A6 belonging to the phytoplasma group VI (reported from Iran). This is the first report of phytoplasma infection affecting Ajwain (T. ammi).