This video, recorded in
July 2025, presents a real case of organic high-density olive cultivation,
launched in the summer of 2022. The orchard, with wide row spacing (4–4.5 m),
was designed to ensure maximum light exposure on both canopy walls,
promoting balanced vegetative and productive development without
invasive pruning or indiscriminate cuts using mechanical blades.
The selected cultivar is Koroneiki,
a Greek variety well adapted to Italian conditions, appreciated for its
moderate vigor, high yield, and excellent oil quality. This choice is part of a
broader vision to enhance traditional Italian olive varieties (Leccino,
Frantoio, Nocellara del Belice, Lecciana, Cima di Melfi, Biancolilla, Favolosa, Leccio del Corno, Coratina, Semidana, Bosana, Canino, etc.) within modern, low-labor,
sustainable systems that respect the identity of each growing region.
The training system is
based on a single central axis (monoaxial), supported by a stake and without
topping. Lateral branches, initially upright, naturally bend under the
weight of fruit, triggering a process of self-balancing and renewal.
No pruning is performed
in the first years: light, structure, and physiology guide canopy
development. Any interventions, starting from the third or fourth year, must be
manual, targeted, and selective, respecting the plant’s natural form.
Supplementary irrigation
is managed through dual drip lines, which can also be buried to
facilitate mechanical mowing along the row. Weeds are managed exclusively
through mechanical means, and the presence of cover crops and organic
residues reflects a deliberate agronomic strategy, not neglect.
This model allows for a productive
cycle of at least 20 years. At the end of the cycle, the orchard can be renewed
by selecting the strongest basal sucker and re-establishing a new axis
through regenerative pruning, in contrast with mechanical pruning, which
often accelerates aging of the orchard structure.
This experience
demonstrates that, even under organic management and with traditional
Italian varieties, it is possible to achieve balance, productivity, and
longevity in high-density olive orchards—as long as they are guided by
thoughtful planning, solid agronomic knowledge, and deep respect for the
plant’s physiology.
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