EFFECT OF AIR TEMPERATURE ON OLIVE PHENOLOGY: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OBSERVED IN VAL D’ORCIA. [EFFETTO DELLA TEMPERATURA DELL’ARIA SULLA FENOLOGIA DELL’OLIVO: PRIMI RISULTATI OSSERVATI IN VAL D’ORCIA]

The development and application of decision support systems in agriculture is a concrete step toward a more sustainable production, and a response to climate change which is imposing the adoption of effective adaptation and mitigation strategies. In this context, the objective of this study is to develop a decision-making tool for the optimization of olive (Olea europea L.) management in terms of nutrient supply (foliar application) and crop protection. To this aim, phenological dynamics of olives were monitored in Val d’Orcia (Central Italy) under different environmental conditions in order to assess their influence on the growth and development of olive tree. The preliminary results highlighted that Frantoio and Leccino cultivars are more precocious than Moraiolo in achieving bud development, but not differences exist between the cultivars in the occurrence of inflorescence emergency. Beside the cultivar, we also observed an influence of temperature on the appearance and development of buds.