The olive tree has always been considered a plant that is very resistant to adversity and unaccustomed to disease. In fact, it adapts well to different conditions and the olive grove requires little care.
However, soil and climatic conditions in particular can be attacked by various fungi and bacteria, which can also lead to significant production losses. Different varieties of olive trees have different susceptibility to various pathogens.
Wanting to cultivate the olive grove with biological methods is very important to know how to recognize diseases, to be able to fight pathogens in a timely manner. In fact, natural methods are particularly effective when used to nip an infection in the bud. In addition, prevention, which is carried out with a correct cultural practice throughout the year, is essential to avoid frequent problems.
Contents [Ocultar]
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Bacterial diseases of olive trees
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the tale of the olive tree
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Xylella or CoDiRO (Quick Dry Olive Complex)
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Fungal diseases of olive trees
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anthracnose
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abrupt parasite
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Cercosporosis
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Smoke
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olive tree leprosy
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olive fungus
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Peacock eye or cycloconium
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septoria
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Contents
Bacterial diseases of olive trees
Two of the most serious problems in the olive grove are caused by bacteria: scab, which is often spread by the olive fly, and Xylella, which has damaged olive trees in Puglia in recent years. Let’s see how to recognize these pathologies and what methods we have to prevent or combat them.
the olive tree lives
Pathogen: Pseudomonas syringae, subsp. savastanoi (bacterium)
Scab is one of the most common diseases of the olive grove, it is caused by a bacterium that enters the plant through wounds, it is often carried by the bites of the olive fly. Like many other bacteria, it thrives in moist conditions.
recognize scabies . Typical symptoms of the disease are the formation of smooth, soft, green swellings on young shoots, petioles, trunks and roots. Over time, these signs of scabies tend to darken and flake off, taking on varying sizes. Dark nicks or sprouts may appear on the olives. These growths are called tumors.
Damage caused by disease. Olive branches affected by scab can wither and die, while dormant shoots can form when the pathogen attacks the tips. Over time, the olive tree can slow down its vegetative development until it becomes unproductive.
propagated . The bacterium is retained in the tumours, it can be spread by rain or by pruning instruments and it penetrates through wounds caused by the pruning itself, hail or the eggs of the olive fly.
Control of olive scab. For the treatment of scab in organic farming, no type of product is used, the defense is preventive and consists of the application of a series of good practices:
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Avoid vigorous pruning that causes significant damage.
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Do not use pruning tools used on infected olive trees.
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Remove diseased plant parts in a timely manner.
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Always as a preventive measure, it can be useful to apply copper to wounds caused by hail or pruning.
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Effectively combat the olive fly, for example, with the help of Tap Traps.