1) Dr. Enrique Fernández – Keynote Presentation

Optimizing olive irrigation under water scarcity is particularly challenging. First, the irrigation strategy must be carefully selected, and second, the scheduling method must be highly precise. In this study, we examine two deficit irrigation strategies suitable for olive cultivation: (1) a regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) approach, designed to estimate irrigation needs (IN) ranging from 30% to 60% of the crop’s water requirements (ET_c), and (2) a survival irrigation strategy, supplying just 15% of ET_c. Regarding irrigation scheduling methods for orchards under water-limited conditions, we focus on: (1) The Allen and Pereira method, the most advanced version of the crop coefficient approach; (2) Measurements of trunk diameter variations (TDV)and leaf turgor (LT), used to track water stress progression and guide irrigation scheduling; (3) A stomatal conductance model, designed to determine IN for maximum carbon assimilation with minimal transpiration. We consider the use of machine learning algorithms to automatically process the TDV and LT, records. In addition, we include the proposed irrigation scheduling methods into ISADORA+, a decision support system. We provide examples from ‘Arbequina’ olive orchards with a planting density of 1,665 trees per hectare in southwest Spain. In addition to discussing crop performance under these irrigation strategies and scheduling methods, we also consider socioeconomic factors influencing growers’ willingness to adopt them.