Agro-biodynamic

Agro-biodynamic Management

Τhe cultivation follows the standards of Agro-biodynamic Management, as proposed by the research group headed by Mr.Constantinos Angelopoulos, Associate Professor / Researcher at the University of Patras and Mrs. Athena Theodorakopoulou, Researcher at the University, in order to create even better conditions for our olive trees so as to further improve the quality of our crop.

The definition of Agro-dynamic Management is the total cultivating practices that can be applied to an olive grove in order to activate all known interactions between olive trees and other biological organisms of the agricultural system with the aim of capitalizing on renewable sources to cover the needs of olive trees in nutrients and dealing with competitive species that reduce yield.

Agro-biodynamic management is applied to a farming habitat or farming landscape,, part of which is the olive grove. Thus, it can ensure the required biodiversity set forth in the regulation, as well as record and develop the interactions mentioned above.

 

The strategy for applying interventions to cultivation is based on the definition of the level of expected yields and all required technology for minimizing inputs into the system is being deployed, such as:

  1. The utilization of renewable sources and resources to cover inputs. For example, we try to optimize the utilization of solar energy by olive trees, something that is also related to pruning.
  2.  The optimum use of nitrogen (N) and CO2 in the atmosphere. The techniques of joint cultivation of olive trees with legumes enable better utilization of nitrogen in the atmosphere.
  3. The optimum utilization of insolvent forms of phosphorus in the soil.
  4. The application of organic control technologies to tackle competitive parasites that reduce the yield of olive trees.
  5. The strengthening of soil bio-diversity with the addition (inoculation) of nitrogen fixing symbiotic and non symbiotic bacteria, rhizobia and mycorrhizae.
  6.  The creation of mixed plant and livestock production units. For example, poultry and even sheep can be kept in the olive grove.
  7. Recycling of agricultural waste. For example, leaves that fall when harvesting olives to be returned to the soil after composting. Also, branches removed during pruning should be chopped and scattered around the soil, not burned. The liquid by-products of the olive mill (olive oil wastewater) may be used as input into the soil of the olive grove after suitable, simple processing.