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Olives

The Australian Olive Industry is worth an estimated $210 million. Olives flourish where there is good drainage and cool winters, with hot dry summers without humidity. In recent years there has been a focus on the role and management of healthy soils in producing healthy trees and lifting grove productivity.

Specific considerations for olives

Olive are robust and tolerant trees, able to withstand compacted soils and poor fertility. To increase yields and fruit quality balanced nutrition, well drained soils and soil fertility need to be addressed. 

Olives do not require a lot of nutrition compared to other tree crops however, a common issue is over use of nitrogen fertilisers at the expense of others. Use of sustained release fertilisers, such as BioAgPhos®, as well as soil biostimulants to improve soil structure, nutrient retention and cycling, agglomeration, filtration and water holding capacity will benefit olives and buffer any oversupply of nutrients.

Nutrient deficiencies are often difficult to identify, the use of leaf tests will provide the most accurate information. Addressing macro or micronutrient deficiencies with foliar products, in conjunction with a foliar biostimulant, enhances uptake and translocation.

The BioAg approach

BioAg nutrition programs are incorporated into a growers current nutrition program. Our objective is to make fertiliser and other inputs work better and build and support healthy and balanced soils and plants. Programs are custom-made for each block, using advanced soil and tissue analysis. These integrated programs typically incorporate a range of BioAg solid and liquid nutrients, often associated with conventional inputs. BioAg fertility programs can be developed to meet organic certification requirements.

Soil test

An experienced and Fertcare accredited BioAg agronomist works with you and provides technical expertise on your crop. If you don’t already have recent soil test data, we arrange a soil test for you. The results provide essential information about the soil fertility and soil structure for better performance. Download the BioAg soil sampling procedure here.

A tailored program

Based on the results of soil tests, crop requirements and other factors such as soil structure, climate, history of the block, and targets that you are trying to achieve, we provide a tailored program that aims to improve soil fertility and maximise yield response. We support you through the program to ensure that inputs are applied at the right time, in the right way.

Leaf and tissue testing

Any nutritional program cannot foresee the changes in weather, disease, or pests, that may impact a crop. During the season, growers may observe issues or evidence of stress in their crop. This may be due to greater growth or yields than planned, a trace element shortage or abiotic stresses. An on-farm inspection and associated leaf or tissue tests will promptly identify any issues, which can quickly be addressed by applying the appropriate inputs. Download the BioAg leaf sampling procedure here.

High yielding crops require fertile balanced soils

Key to highly productive crops is the function of soils. Soil structure, chemistry and biology are critical in supporting crops throughout the growing season. By improving all aspects of the soil, crops will benefit from improved access to moisture, due to improved infiltration and water holding capacity, improved access to nutrition through improved nutrient cycling, fixation (for N) and a reduction in loss pathways, improved resilience to abiotic stresses and disease, improved root growth providing access to additional moisture and nutrients as well as improved carbon sequestration and a range of other benefits (click for more on soil health).

Beneficial microorganisms stimulate the plant’s root growth and help protect it from abiotic stresses. This is made possible through mutually beneficial relationships that microbes develop with plants, for example mycorrhizal associations. BioAg products programs supply essential macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca), trace elements (B, Zn, Cu etc.), microbial food and metabolites beneficial microorganisms that colonise root systems, improving soil function, plant health and productivity.

blueberries scattered on white background

Olives – key features of a BioAg program

The following table illustrates the cropping process and potential solutions depending on soil test results and other contributing factors. Call your BioAg Area Manager to discuss your individual needs.

Objective
Activity
BioAg Product
Post-harvest
Improve nitrogen and carbohydrates level in plants.
Soil application of BioAg biostimulants.
Soil & Seed® (+ N, K, CA): 3 – 4L/ha fertigated application
Post-harvest
Assess soils for nutrients.
Perform soil tests.
-
Dormancy
Balance soil macro and micronutrients, maintain soil organic matter/carbon.
Incorporate ameliorants, compost and sustained release fertiliser to build soil fertility.
Compost, BioAgPhos®, BioAgSoP®, BioAgBor®: rates depend on soil and crop requrements and are based on soil test analysis
Bud swell/Sprout growth
Improve soil characteristics with increasing soil nutrient retention, soil carbon maintanance and soil bufffer capabilities.
Soil application of soil conditioners and biostimulants.
HydraHume®: 15 – 20L/ha
Bud swell/Sprout growth
Stimulate root growth and plant establishment, building shoot biomass, encourage soil microbiota to grow, including Mycorrhiza spp.
Soil application of Soil & Seed® a week after HydraHume®.
Soil & Seed®: (+ N or trace elements): 8 – 10L/ha fertigated application
Bud swell/Sprout growth
Increase tolerance to stresses and bioavailability of applied nutrients.
Foliar application of BioAg biostimulants.
HydraSea 50®: 0.5 – 1L/ha foliar application
Flower bud
Supply crop with bioactive substances for normal growth.
Foliar application of BioAg biostimulants.
Balance & Grow®: (+ B): 2 – 3L/ha
Flowering
Enhance nutrient use efficiency and crop growth.
Soil application of BioAg biostimulants.
Soil & Seed®: (+ N): 2 – 3L/ha
Fruit set
Supply crop with bioactive substances for normal fruit set and growth.
Foliar application of BioAg biostimulants.
Balance & Grow®: (+ K): 2 – 3L/ha
Fruit growth I
Enhance nutrient use efficiency and fruit growth.
Soil application of BioAg biostimulants.
Soil & Seed®: (+ N): 2 – 3L/ha
Pit hardening
Supply crop with bioactive substances for normal fruit growth.
Foliar application of BioAg biostimulants.
Fruit & Balance®: (+ K): 2 – 3L/ha foliar application
Fruit growth II
Fruit-size improvement.
Soil application of BioAg biostimulants.
Soil & Seed®: 2 – 3L/ha fertigated application
Envero
Improve antioxidant level and fruit-size.
Foliar application of BioAg biostimulants.
Fruit & Balance®: (+ crop deficient nutrients): 2 – 3L/ha foliar application

Olive resources

  • Soil-nutrient relationships

    Nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, may be supplied to plants solely from reserves held in the soil. Others like phosphorus and nitrogen are added regularly to soils as fertiliser to be withdrawn as needed by crops.

    Read more
  • Biostimulants increase yield benefits

    The yield map from the Summer 2023 harvest near Brocklesby in Southern NSW visibly shows the positive impact of BioAg’s biostimulant program on yield.

    Read more
  • Leaf and tissue testing

    Your BioAg Area Manager may recommend a leaf or tissue test in addition to a soil test. In some cases, your BioAg Area Manager will do the leaf or tissue testing with you or for you. Use this procedure if you are doing the sampling without a BioAg expert present.

    Read more
  • Regenerative agriculture

    The term regenerative agriculture has become aligned, or associated hand in hand, with the improvement of soils, improved soil fertility, and the benefits this provides to farms and rural communities. The approach typically promoted is a holistic one, taking into accoun...

    Read more

Recommended products

bag of BioAg Phos solid fertiliser

BioAgPhos

Solid Fertiliser

Highly reactive phosphate fertiliser made from high-grade reactive phosphate rock combined with BioAg’s microbial digesting agent.

BioAg Biostimulant product Soil & Seed

Soil & Seed

Biostimulant

Formulated to improve soil microbial activity, natural soil fertility and moisture and nutrient utilisation.

BioAg Biostimulant product Balance & Grow

Balance & Grow

Biostimulant

Formulated to increase vegetative growth, root development and soil microbial activity. Ideal for broadacre, pastures and horticulture.

BioAg Biostimulant product Fruit & Balance

Fruit & Balance

Biostimulant

Formulated to increase flowering, fruit set and soil microbial activity. Fruit & Balance enhances the nutritional value and quality of fruit or grain by increasing plant sugar levels.

BioAg product shot of BioAg SoP

BioAgSoP

Solid Fertiliser

Organically certified granular form of fertiliser containing potassium and sulphur. Immediately available to crops and plants. Ideal for crops with a high potassium demand and sensitive to chloride.

BioAg product shot of BioAgBor

BioAgBor

Trace Element

A sustained-release form of boron suited to a range of enterprises such as horticulture, vegetables, pastures and field crops.

BioAg Biostimulant product HydraHume

HydraHume

Biostimulant

A liquid solution of Potassium Humate providing a product suited to building soil humus and increasing soil fertility.

BioAg Biostimulant product HydraSea 50

HydraSea 50

Biostimulant

A natural seaweed extract that delivers a number of beneficial organic compounds and minerals to crops and pastures.

bag of BioAg Phos solid fertiliser

Committed to organics

With a core range of natural fertilisers and biostimulants, BioAg can offer an extensive range of products certified by Australian Organics, suitable for use in organic systems.