Articles
Characterising olive winter dormancy in producing regions of Spain (1981-2022)
Article number
1457_69
Pages
557 – 562
Language
English
Abstract
The olive tree is mainly cultivated in the temperate zones of the Mediterranean basin.
The winter dormancy of this species and its characterization are important for assessing the climatic suitability of areas for olive cultivation.
The study of thermal characterization and its temporal variation during the winter dormancy period enables the identification of the most suitable areas for this crop and the evaluation of the varieties to be grown.
Spain has the largest area and production of olive groves in the world.
This study identifies and characterizes the winter dormancy of the olive tree and also analyses the temperature trends in the 12 main growing regions of Spain in the current context of global warming.
Olive Winter dormancy days (OWD) for olive trees were defined as days when the daily average temperature was 14.4°C or less.
For the analysis period of 1981-2022, the average daily temperatures of 12 meteorological stations from the European Climate Assessment & Data set, located in the main olive-growing areas of Spain, were used (more than 90% of olive production is concentrated in these areas). The results show that the winter dormancy period generally lasts from November to March, although in some areas the start is delayed and the end is brought forward, and there are also areas that include days in April and October.
The average OWD is 125 and ranges from 64 in Almeria to 170 in Albacete.
A significant decrease in OWD was observed in Málaga and Albacete.
The average dormant temperature in the areas is 10.9°C, ranging from 9.1°C in Ciudad Real to 13.9°C in Almeria, with a significant upward trend in 4 of the areas studied.
The winter dormancy of this species and its characterization are important for assessing the climatic suitability of areas for olive cultivation.
The study of thermal characterization and its temporal variation during the winter dormancy period enables the identification of the most suitable areas for this crop and the evaluation of the varieties to be grown.
Spain has the largest area and production of olive groves in the world.
This study identifies and characterizes the winter dormancy of the olive tree and also analyses the temperature trends in the 12 main growing regions of Spain in the current context of global warming.
Olive Winter dormancy days (OWD) for olive trees were defined as days when the daily average temperature was 14.4°C or less.
For the analysis period of 1981-2022, the average daily temperatures of 12 meteorological stations from the European Climate Assessment & Data set, located in the main olive-growing areas of Spain, were used (more than 90% of olive production is concentrated in these areas). The results show that the winter dormancy period generally lasts from November to March, although in some areas the start is delayed and the end is brought forward, and there are also areas that include days in April and October.
The average OWD is 125 and ranges from 64 in Almeria to 170 in Albacete.
A significant decrease in OWD was observed in Málaga and Albacete.
The average dormant temperature in the areas is 10.9°C, ranging from 9.1°C in Ciudad Real to 13.9°C in Almeria, with a significant upward trend in 4 of the areas studied.
Publication
Authors
L.L. Paniagua, D. Garcia-Garcia, A. García-Martín, C. Aguirado, F. Honorio
Keywords
winter dormancy days (OWD), temperature, European Climate Assessment & Data set trends
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