The olive tree is one of the most important crops in Spain, occupying thousands of hectares. In fact, in some areas areas such as Andalusiait is the main agricultural production. For this reason, keeping the crop in good the crop in good condition and knowledge of olive tree diseases is vital to ensure the good future of the sector.
Every year, a large number of tons of olives are harvested and used for different purposes. One of them is for the sale of the fruit as olives or olives, although surely the most important thing about the olive grove is the culture that surrounds the production of olive oil. A product that is present in most dishes of the Mediterranean recipe, but is also increasingly valued in other parts of the world.
These are some of the most frequent diseases.
Olive tuberculosis
One of the most common olive tree diseases in Spain is olive tuberculosis. The disease starts as a consequence of a bacterium. It causes tumors on the plant, as well as drying of the branches and bad taste of the fruit. In addition, it also causes wounds in all parts of the tree, from the stem to the leaves.
Thus, in addition to the consequences on the condition of the plant, one of the most worrying effects is the poorer taste of the fruit and a decrease in its quality. Therefore, it is important to detect this disease as soon as possible, because if we do not do so, it could end up affecting the quality of the harvest.
Soapy olive
Soapy olive is a typical disease of the autumn season, when the olives have started to ripen. It is also favored by humidity and rainy seasons.
The first sign of this disease is an oily spot on the fruit. Subsequently, it begins to spread throughout the olive. Thus, its consequences are mainly the following:
On the one hand, once it affects the stalk, it can end up causing it to break, with the consequent premature fall of the fruit to the ground.
On the other hand, if the olive does not fall, it is quite likely to acquire a very sour taste when it is harvested.
Some ways to avoid the spread of this disease are to harvest the fruit when it is not yet ripe or to separate those parts of the plant affected.
Repilo
Repilo is another of the most widespread olive tree diseases in Spanish agriculture. This disease is produced as a consequence of a fungus that settles on the leaves of the plant. Moreover, once in contact with it, it can spread very easily and survive in many difficult conditions.
The main manifestation of olive leaf scab is the circle-shaped spots that appear on the leaves of the olive tree. However, the spots appear only on the upper side. Their color can vary, acquiring green, yellowish or brownish tones. However, if the disease is not combated, these spots can become black due to the formation of conidia.
As for its consequences for the tree, the repilo causes the leaves to fall prematurely, as well as a worsening of the plant's health. As a result, it ends up considerably affecting its productivity.
