Traditional, intensive, and super-intensive olive growing. Irrigation.

The olive tree is one of Spain’s major crops—as it is in central and southern Italy and Portugal—intensive olive grove and super-intensive are increasingly replacing traditional ones.

Plantae sensors are particularly well-suited for these types of groves; in this article, we will detail their specific features and the care they require, focusing primarily on irrigation.

In intensive and super-intensive olive groves across central and southern Spain, Portugal, and southern Italy, Plantae sensors are especially valuable because the main challenge lies not only in knowing how much water to apply but also in determining when to apply it and verifying that it is actually reaching the root zone.

Traditional olive grove

This refers to the olive tree in its traditional, often semi-wild state, where its performance depends on its adaptation to the climate and terrain, as well as the care it receives (pruning, irrigation, etc.).

Production is sometimes limited, and the returns do not always match the effort involved. Harvesting is usually done by hand, as machinery cannot easily navigate the grove; the use of technology depends on the slope of the land and the layout of the trees.

This type of cultivation is common in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, though there is currently a shift toward different methods, especially when establishing new groves.

A Plantae technician installing sensors on a traditional olive tree in Los Navalmorales, Toledo, Spain.

intensive olive grove 

Concerns regarding quality, profitability, and labor shortages have led farmers to consider olive grove models other than the traditional one.

When establishing a new intensive olive grove, we analyze the terrain and plan the layout with tree spacings of 6×6 meters or 6×3 meters. The rows (or “streets”) must be 6 meters wide to facilitate the passage of machinery, as well as to provide space between trees and improve airflow.

This layout allows for the installation of drip irrigation systems at the base of the tree, enabling precise control to boost yield and improve olive quality. It also allows for the application of fertilizers and disease-prevention products through the irrigation system.

Another advantage is the ability to harvest the olives using mechanical shakers.

The lifespan of these olive trees is approximately 13 to 20 years, whereas in intensive systems they can reach up to 40 years. (In both cases, there may be variations depending on the climate and the terrain.)

This necessitates frequent replanting. Irrigation—typically drip irrigation—and the monitoring of that irrigation are essential.

The choice of planting method depends on the terrain, irrigation capabilities, and the climate.

Advantages and disadvantages of intensive and super-intensive olive growing

Regions with a climate suitable for olive cultivation are conducting studies on both systems.

The advantages are:

High yields, particularly in the early years.

The ability to use mechanical harvesting methods. This significantly reduces labor requirements; olives reach the mill quickly through a fully mechanized process.

The varieties proving most successful are “Arbequina” and “Arbosana.”

The disadvantages, particularly with super-intensive systems, include:

High planting costs—high for intensive systems and significantly higher for super-intensive ones.

A shorter orchard lifespan due to the difficulty of controlling tree vigor, especially in super-intensive systems.

Issues with airflow and light exposure, which increase the risk of disease.

A significant need for controlled irrigation.

The requirement for support stakes to guide the trees and for specialized pruning techniques.

The need for replanting after a certain number of years; this can be done in stages to ensure continuous minimum production.

Irrigation in intensive olive grove and super-intensive

In intensive olive grove and super-intensive, irrigation requirements depend heavily on the climate, soil type, planting layout, variety, tree age, and production goals.

The linear arrangement of the olive trees makes it very easy to install drip irrigation systems.

Flow meters can be fitted to the pipelines to allow for total control of the irrigation water.

For central and southern Spain, Portugal, and Italy, we can provide a table indicating requirements per hectare per year. These are Mediterranean regions with high evaporation rates—particularly in spring and summer—though there are significant differences between inland and coastal areas.

As a general guideline for mature, irrigated olive groves using localized irrigation:

These ranges represent indicative irrigation needs, assuming that part of the annual demand is met by effective rainfall. In very dry years and particularly hot areas, demand may exceed these values.

A practical reference for summer

In July and August, a mature intensive olive grove may require approximately:

Intensive: 4–7 mm/day → 40–70 m³/ha/day
Super-intensive: 5–8 mm/day → 50–80 m³/ha/day

This does not necessarily mean irrigation must take place every day; the required amount can be accumulated and applied according to soil capacity and the irrigation system used.

Plantae sensors for irrigation control in central and southern Spain, Portugal, and Italy

Sensors are distributed near the olive trees at various depths to monitor the entire wetted bulb.

The sensors provide data on:

• Subsoil moisture.
• Subsoil temperature.
• Conductivity, allowing for the monitoring of salt accumulation.
• Ambient temperature.
• Relative humidity.
• Rainfall.
• Wind speed and direction.

Irrigation optimization in intensive olive grove and super-intensive

In central and southern Spain, Portugal, and Italy, atmospheric demand during spring and summer can be very high. A moisture sensor allows for tracking actual changes in available soil water and adjusting irrigation to the specific conditions of each plot, thereby avoiding:

Water deficit, which can reduce growth, fruit set, and yield.
Over-irrigation, which leads to unnecessary consumption, losses due to percolation, and potential root aeration issues.
Evapotranspiration: moisture loss from a surface via direct evaporation combined with water loss through plant transpiration.

Two plots with the same evapotranspiration rate may require different amounts of water due to:

• Soil texture and depth.
• Water storage capacity.
• Stoniness.
• Slope.
• Effective root depth.
• Drip system uniformity.

Plantae sensors allow you to transform a theoretical irrigation schedule into a management strategy based on actual soil response.

Installing sensors is particularly important in super-intensive orchards

In super-intensive systems, there is a high tree density and a correspondingly high aggregate water demand. Minor scheduling errors can result in tens of cubic meters of water wasted per hectare.

Furthermore, the soil volume explored by each tree may be relatively limited; therefore, it is beneficial to monitor various depths and verify that the wetted bulb remains aligned with the majority of active roots.

The value of installing sensors at different depths

A well-planned configuration allows you to distinguish between:

• Surface → Is the soil getting wet?
• Root zone → Is water available to the tree?
• Lower depth → Are we irrigating below the effective root zone?

This last point is particularly significant. If moisture levels at depth rise sharply after irrigation, it may indicate that more water is being applied than the soil in the root zone can retain.

In these regions, the potential return on investment can be substantial

Financial savings will depend on factors such as water costs, pumping energy, well depth, electricity rates, and so on. It is also unwise to assume that a sensor will always yield a specific percentage of savings; the goal should be to apply the water needed to meet production targets, not simply to cut back on irrigation.

“The soil is reaching the moisture level where irrigation should begin, and we need to replenish approximately X amount to restore the target level.”

This level of control is especially valuable in regions like Andalusia, Alentejo, central Portugal, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Sicily, Puglia, and other Mediterranean areas, where water availability can be a primary limiting factor for production.

“It is not about irrigating less; it is about knowing when, how much, and where to irrigate in order to use every cubic meter of water as efficiently as possible.”

Source:

Plantae

datos.gob.es/es