Olive Orchard Fertilization and Irrigation

Code: ERU10135M

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Rural Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

This course aims to give students skills for critical analysis and resolution of practical problems in the management of irrigation and fertilization of olive groves.

Sustainable Development Goals

Erradicar a fome - Acabar com a fome, alcançar a segurança alimentar e melhoria da nutrição e promover a agricultura sustentável.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Água potável e saneamento - Garantir disponibilidade e manejo sustentável da água e saneamento para todos.

Ação climática - Tomar medidas urgentes para combater a mudança climática e seus impactos (*).

Learning Goals

To introduce the principles and specificities of the irrigation of olive trees orchards, as well as their fertigation. The skills to acquire are the ability to determine the olive water requirements and to know the irrigation system (drip irrigation), in order to be able to develop a critical analysis of irrigation management in olive trees orchards as well as its fertigation, based on sound principles related to soil, crop and atmospheric demands, as well as cationic exchanges and available nutrients in the soil and plant.

Fertilization Module:
Soil analysis. Soil samples collection in the field
Irrigation water sampling and analysis for quality and nutrients
Analysis interpretation and conclusions
The olive root system
Olive growth, development and functions
Fertilization to install a new orchard
Leaf analysis for nutrients
Leaf sampling for nutrients and interpretation of results
Fertigation

Irrigation module:
Drip irrigation system principles and working characteristics
The soil system. Soil water content methods and sampling
Soil water retention soil water potential and units
Available soil water soil water storage and relative extractable water
Soil water balance evapotranspiration, transpiration and soil evaporation
Crop water use traditional, intensive and superintensive orchards
Irrigation scheduling stomatal conductance and leaf water potential
State of the art in the irrigation of olive trees deficit irrigation, controlled deficit irrigation, full irrigation

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes, with applied practical exercises performed in the classroom and practical essaysto be performed by the student at home. Assessment under n. 9 art. 102º of the RAUE. Continuos evaluation based in 1 practical essay (25%) and a written test (75%) in each of the modules of the syllabus. The grade attained in the Fertilization module represents 35% of the final grade and the grade attained in the irrigation module 65% of the final grade.