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Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp) is a significant threat to Mediterranean agriculture, particularly impacting olive trees in southern Italy, causing Olive Quick Decline Syndrome. Resistant olive cultivars, such as 'Leccino' and 'Fs-17', have been identified as alternatives to restore the oliviculture within the infected areas. 'Frantoio' and 'Cipressino' are included in ongoing studies on genetic resistance to Xfp. The mechanization of olive harvesting is essential for reducing production costs in the olive oil sector. Two systems, trunk shakers and over-the-row machines, are used depending on the tree density and canopy structure, with super-high-density systems offering advantages in terms of cost and efficiency. This study investigates the feasibility of using simple and non-destructive indices to assess the optimal mechanical harvesting time. Different physical ripening indices, including detachment force, fresh weight, pigmentation, and firmness, were measured on four olive cultivars ('Fs-17', 'Leccino', 'Frantoio', 'Cipressino') in southern Italy over two years. The study found that the pigmentation index had a strong relationship with the detachment index, particularly for 'Fs-17', and 'Leccino', providing a reliable non-destructive measure for optimal harvesting time. The results indicate that the optimal harvesting times for mechanical harvesting are early September for 'Cipressino', early October for 'Fs-17', and mid-October for 'Frantoio' and 'Leccino'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super high-density (SHD) planting systems are very efficient in terms of production and water use. In these orchards, water-saving irrigation strategies are used precisely to keep the best sustainability compared to traditional orchards. With agro-climatic and eco-physiological parameter monitoring, the SHD planting system has become even more efficient. SHD orchards, however, could also be more so affected by other pests and diseases than traditional systems, but field responses are still unknown when olive trees are grown in SHD groves. The goal of this two-year field research was to investigate the seasonal changes of the phytosanitary status of 'Arbosana' grown in an SHD orchard under both regulated deficit (RDI) and full irrigation regimes (FI). This study investigated the influence of the two different irrigation regimes on the infections of three olive tree key diseases: cercosporiosis (Pseudocercospora cladosporioides), cycloconium (Fusicladium oleagineum), and olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi). RDI significantly reduced the severity of cercosporiosis in 2020 compared to FI but not in 2021. Cycloconium was observed only as a latent infection during the two studied years and olive knot was not influenced by irrigation but only by weather conditions. These findings suggest that irrigation management can play a key role in controlling cercosporiosis effectively in SHD olive orchards, but also that weather conditions have an even higher impact on the tree key diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site selection analysis is a fundamental methodology for the regeneration of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp) infected areas, with the introduction of Xfp immune/resistant tree crop species. The diffusion of these species could be assessed by combining ecological optima data, climate and soil attributes of the study area, and GIS tools. The study aimed to evaluate the potential suitability of eight Xfp immune tree crops, including Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) drought-resistant and new species, as follows: carob, hawthorn, prickly pear, mulberry, loquat, walnut, persimmon, and avocado. The use of GIS tools allowed the integration of different layers, such as climate and soil, to contribute to the identification of suitable areas for the cultivation of these tree crops helping the policy-makers to define plans for land use at a regional scale. Following the ecological optima, which represents the ideal environmental conditions for each species, this analysis provided valuable insights into the compatibility of the selected tree crops with the prevailing environmental factors in the affected area. Carob revealed its remarkable adaptability and drought resistance, presenting the broadest suitability. Hawthorn and Loquat also exhibited high adaptability, indicating their potential contribution to agricultural diversification and ecological balance. Conversely, crops like Avocado, Prickly pear, and Walnut, despite their economic value, demonstrated limited adaptability due to their specific soil and climate requirements. These findings can potentially contribute to the development of strategies for the policymakers, aimed at diversifying and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems, facing the problem of emerging quarantine pathogens and the incoming climate change, and highlighting the possibility of opening new cultivation scenarios in the zones affected by Xfp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The almond tree is a major global nut crop, and its production has surged dramatically in recent years. Super high-density (SHD) planting systems, designed to optimize resource efficiency and enhance precocity, have gained prominence in almond cultivation. A shift in cropping systems toward sustainable intensification (SI) pathways is imperative, and so maximizing branching density within the canopies of SHD trees is crucial to establish and maintain productive potential, especially for hedge-pruned trees. This study investigates the influence of different almond cultivars grafted onto a novel growth-controlling rootstock on tree architectural and growth parameters in a SHD orchard. This open field research provided valuable insights for the development and application of new tools and methods to increase productivity and sustainability in almond growing. Methods: Three cultivars (Lauranne® Avijour, Guara Tuono, and Filippo Cea) were evaluated in Gravina in Puglia (BA) over a two-year period. Canopy growth parameters, such as canopy volume and trunk cross-sectional area, and architectural traits, like branching density, branching angle, number and length of subterminal shoots, and number of brachyblasts, were measured through qualitative and quantitative measurements. Results and discussion: Results revealed significant differences in tree height, canopy thickness, width, volume, and vigor among the cultivars. Architectural traits, including branch parameters, brachyblast parameters, and subterminal shoots, varied among the cultivars. Lauranne displayed a more compact welldistributed canopy and exhibited the lowest vigor. Filippo Cea showed the highest vigor and the greatest canopy volume. Tuono had a higher number of buds and bud density. The best ideotype for SHD orchards is a smaller tree, with high branching density and smaller trunk diameters, i.e. the vigor. Cv. Lauranne seemed to be the best cultivar, mostly with the lowest tree vigor of all the cultivars involved. These findings provide valuable insights for almond growers and breeders seeking to optimize orchard design and management for enhanced SHD orchards productivity and sustainability. Future research will explore the relationship between canopy architecture and yield parameters, considering different scion/rootstock combinations in different environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the seasonal patterns of the ecophysiological recovery of four olive cultivars (Arbequina, Coratina, Frantoio, and Urano), both micropropagated and self-rooted, grown in a mature, irrigated, super high-density (SHD) orchard under Mediterranean conditions (Southern of Italy). The aim was to observe the impact of the micropropagation method on the ecophysiological responses. Ecophysiological parameters, including leaf water potential (LWP), stomatal conductance (gs), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and transpiration rate (E) were assessed. Self-rooted trees consistently exhibited superior gs, E, and Pn recovery compared to the micropropagated ones. 'Arbequina' maintained elevated levels of Pn under water-deficit conditions. 'Coratina' exhibited increases in gs and E after irrigation. 'Frantoio' demonstrated recovery capabilities, with lower LWP and higher Pn under stress. 'Urano' micropropagated trees achieved higher gs values in mid-summer, while self-rooted trees sustained higher Pn later in the season. This field research highlighted the important role of the propagation method in optimizing the physiological performance of olive cultivars in SHD orchards. Furthermore, it highlighted the necessity of long-term studies on the effects of propagation methods and their interactions with other farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]