Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Olives in Oregon: Grower Survey, On-Farm Propagation, and Orchard Establishment in a Non-Traditional Growing Region

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/c247f083w

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  • Olive production potential in Oregon was researched in a multi-disciplinary approach, including a grower survey, a propagation greenhouse study, and a field study, from 2018 through 2020. The Oregon Olive Grower Survey was designed to collect information relating to orchard establishment and management practices, knowledge and understanding of these practices, and greatest concerns and top priorities for future research from all known olive growers in the state. Survey findings show diversity in terms of farm characteristics and growing practices, while farmer concerns and research priorities were more aligned. The Oregon olive industry consists primarily of small farmers with operations ranging from less than one hectare to 5.6 ha in production, clustered in the North Willamette Valley region. Orchards contain a high number of cultivars, and growers take different approaches to crop fertility and irrigation. The most highly ranked concerns and research priorities center on cultivar evaluation for adaptability to the region in terms of winter cold tolerance, fruit set and oil yield, and anticipation of future pest problems. The propagation study addressed the industry need for locally produced cultivars chosen specifically for production in our region. This three-part study evaluated propagation season and timing of wood collection, synthetic rooting hormone concentration and rate, cultivar rooting ability, and rooting media, for cultivars of local importance. In keeping with project goals to develop practices that would be applicable and practical to small farmers, all propagation trials were conducted at a grower site in addition to the North Willamette Research and Extension Center. A low-input fall propagation option was evaluated at farms lacking a mist system. This study found a range of rooting hormone rates including both indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) alone and IBA in combination with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) to be successful for spring and fall propagation, with lower root numbers, lengths, and percentages in summer. 1:1 peat:perlite media was found to be associated with better rooting, and contrary to widely accepted rankings of rooting capability, ‘Picual’ was easier to root than ‘Leccino’, which demonstrated a 75% rooting percentage when a higher rooting hormone rate was used, compared to 25% for a lower hormone rate. Results show that these cultivars may be successfully propagated on-farm in Oregon, according to specific treatments. The field study was conducted over three years at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC), Aurora OR and Oregon State University Woodhall III Vineyard, Monroe, OR. This trial involved a spring-planted system with raised bed and woven geotextile weed mat for weed prevention, while the fall-planted system used flat ground beds and a rotational cover crop in the aisles. Both systems evaluated vegetative evaluated strategies for rapid orchard establishment and survival in Oregon’s climate, including production system approaches and overwintering and transplanting olive trees of different sizes and ages. The ultimate goal of this trial was to assess tree response to winter cold temperatures. Unfortunately, warmer weather was prevalent over the study period. growth and survival of ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’, ‘Amphissa’, and ‘Ascolano’ cultivars. Comparison of spring-planting systems across both sites showed 100% survival at two years for trees planted in 2019 at NWREC vs. 68% survival for coetaneous trees at Woodhall, and greater shoot growth and trunk diameter with ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’, and ‘Amphissa.’ At NWREC, higher shoot numbers were seen in fall-planted systems, increased shoot length in spring-plantings, similar cultivar responses, and increased survival at year two for spring-planted trees. Tree size and age at time of planting impacted growth and survival differently at each site, with increased growth but decreased survival in 1.5-year-old trees compared to 2.5-year-old trees at Woodhall, while shoot number and trunk diameter depended upon cultivar and size and age at NWREC. Overall, spring-planting and ‘Leccino’, ‘Frantoio’, and ‘Amphissa’ cultivars showed highest levels of growth for orchard establishment in Oregon.
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  • This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 201207-549 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number SW18-057. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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