VEGETATION WATER (ALPECHIN) APPLICATION EFFECTS ON SOILS AND PLANTS

The alpechin or vegetation water is a liquid residue produced in the olive oil extraction process.
Because of its high organic matter content it is considered a potential strong contaminant of rivers.
Therefore in Spain it is compulsory to stock the residue in evaporating ponds.
This management is expensive and produces other environment problems.
Since 1981 direct application of alpechin was tested, some plots have been irrigated with water and different amounts of vegetation water: 0, 100, 200 and 300L/m2. The mean yields of the maize (Zea mays) irrigated with alpechin in the assay were equal or superior to the control.
The foliar analyses indicate an increase in K, Fe and Zn contents and a decrease in the levels of Ca, Mg and Mn in the treated maize plants.
The phytotoxicity was estimated using wheat (Triticum aestivum) and radish (Raphanus sativus) as indicators.
The data show a strong decrease in the phytotoxicity after 15 days from alpechin application.
The main effect of its application was not only a decrease in the germination but also a delay in the emergency of plants.

III International Symposium on Olive Growing

A. Garcia-Ortiz, G. Beltrán, M. Uceda, M. Hermoso, P. Gonzalez, R. Ordoñez, J.V. Giraldez

alpechin, vegetation water, direct application, fertiliser, phytotoxicity

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1999.474.156