scholarly journals Analysis of the Work Productivity and Costs of a Stationary Chipper Applied to the Harvesting of Olive Tree Pruning for Bio-Energy Production

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Suardi ◽  
Francesco Latterini ◽  
Vincenzo Alfano ◽  
Nadia Palmieri ◽  
Simone Bergonzoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Production ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Machine Performance ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Biomass Resources ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Olive Trees

Pruning residues could represent an important biomass resources for energy production. Only in Italy it has been estimated that an annual quantity of biomass of over 2600 kt of dry matter could be obtained from olive residues. Several machines developed for pruning harvesting are available in the market, most of which are tractor-driven, while limited knowledge is available on performance, quality of work and costs of harvesting logistics based on stationary chippers. The aim of the present paper is to analyze machine performance of a forestry stationary chipper applied to pruning harvesting for what concerns work productivity, quality of the comminuted product and harvesting operating costs. This system is actually applied by Fiusis Company, an Italian enterprise which manages a biomass power plant exclusively powered by olive trees’ pruning residues, and it has never been analyzed in literature. The results obtained showed consistent work productivity, which resulted the highest ever found in olive pruning harvesting systems and equal to 5.23 ± 0.81 tdm·h−1. This high work productivity allowed also to obtain a little economic gain from a matter, which is actually considered a problem for olive groves’ owners and not a potential source of income. In particular, the use of a stationary chipper seemed very efficient in olive groves with a consistent amount of wooden residues to be processed and with big branches not harvestable by the most common towed pruning harvester. In addition, the stationary chipper has the advantage of avoiding the preliminary raking operation, which results in reduced costs for the farmer.

scholarly journals Machine Performance and Hog Fuel Quality Evaluation in Olive Tree Pruning Harvesting Conducted Using a Towed Shredder on Flat and Hilly Fields

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Suardi ◽  
Francesco Latterini ◽  
Vincenzo Alfano ◽  
Nadia Palmieri ◽  
Simone Bergonzoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Fuel Quality ◽  
Machine Performance ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Tree Pruning ◽  
Disposal Problem

Pruning residues from olive groves represent an important biomass source. Until now, the management of pruning residue has generally represented a disposal problem rather than an opportunity for additional revenue. The main problem is the lack of a well-organized pruning biomass supply chain. In particular, harvesting is a key stage that influences the product quality, the type of logistics chain, and the economic sustainability of the pruning supply chain. The aim of the present paper was the evaluation of the machine performance of the Facma Comby TR200 towed shredder. The harvesting tests took place in Agios Konstantinos, Fthiotida, Central Greece. Two different experimental fields were used for the evaluation of this harvesting system; these fields were characterized by different slopes to check the convenience of using such a towed shredder on both hilly slopes and flat terrains. Analysis was conducted focusing on both the work productivity and costs. Moreover, an evaluation of the obtained hog fuel quality was performed. The Facma Comby TR200 showed good work performances on both flat (2.60 tdm·h−1) and hilly (2.74 tdm·h−1) land, even if a consistent influence of the pruning biomass yield on the work performances was reported. The biomass quality could be consistently improved by modifying the pick-up systems to avoid the collection of inert materials (soil and rocks). In fact, the analysis showed a high ash content in the comminuted material (4% dry basis). Finally, the economic aspects of this study’s results were in line with those reported in the literature. The applied harvesting system showed a cost equal to 29.88 and 16.59 €·tfm−1 on flat and hilly land, respectively.

scholarly journals Estimating Productivity, Detecting Biotic Disturbances and Assessing the Health State of Traditional Olive Groves, Using Nondestructive Phenotypic Techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
Yiannis G. Zevgolis ◽  
Efstratios Kamatsos ◽  
Triantaphyllos Akriotis ◽  
Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos ◽  
Andreas Y. Troumbis
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Leaf Spot Disease ◽  
Health State ◽  
Olive Grove ◽  
Thermal Indices ◽  
Health States ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Olive Trees

Conservation of traditional olive groves through effective monitoring of their health state is crucial both at a tree and at a population level. In this study, we introduce a comprehensive methodological framework for estimating the traditional olive grove health state, by considering the fundamental phenotypic, spectral, and thermal traits of the olive trees. We obtained phenotypic information from olive trees on the Greek island of Lesvos by combining this with in situ measurement of spectral reflectance and thermal indices to investigate the effect of the olive tree traits on productivity, the presence of the olive leaf spot disease (OLS), and olive tree classification based on their health state. In this context, we identified a suite of important features, derived from linear and logistic regression models, which can explain productivity and accurately evaluate infected and noninfected trees. The results indicated that either specific traits or combinations of them are statistically significant predictors of productivity, while the occurrence of OLS symptoms can be identified by both the olives’ vitality traits and by the thermal variables. Finally, the classification of olive trees into different health states possibly offers significant information to explain traditional olive grove dynamics for their sustainable management.

scholarly journals Study of energetic properties of different tree organs in six Olea europaea L. cultivars

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sala ◽  
T. Caruso ◽  
F. P. Marra ◽  
F. Zafonte ◽  
A. Amico Roxas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Olea Europaea ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Ash Content ◽  
Olive Cultivars ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Horticultural Practice ◽  
Olive Industry ◽  
Olea Europaéa

AbstractPruning is an important horticultural practice for the management of olive orchards (Olea europaea L.) that generates a considerable amount of residues every year. Olive orchards are increasingly expanding beyond the Mediterranean Basin to new growing Countries (Australia, California, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay) and this will certainly lead to larger availability of pruning material. Currently, the interest in use of olive tree pruning residues for energy purposes is increasing but unfortunately, the information on the differences among organs of the tree, in terms of calorific value and ash content, is scarce. Another unknown aspect is the effect of cultivar vigour on dry matter partition among different tree organs, these are important traits to establish the energetic quality of pruning residues. The aim of this research was to study energetic aspects of six olive cultivars, largely grown in the Sicilian olive industry and characterized by different vigour. The trees taken into consideration in the study were selected in an experimental orchard to avoid any effect due to differences in environmental conditions and management. The energetic characteristics, calorific value and ash content, were evaluated for the various tree organs particularly shoots, leaves and branches; also root system was evaluated, although the roots can only be used once the trees are uprooted. Significant differences were observed in the calorific values among the different tree organs and the cultivars. Regarding the ash, shoots and leaves showed the highest content with respect to the other organs, thus causing a possible tendency in slagging with fouling and corrosion of boiler components.

scholarly journals Effect of sustainable management of olive tree residues on soil fertility in irrigated and rain-fed olive orchards

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 764-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kavvadias ◽  
M. Papadopoulou ◽  
E. Vavoulidou ◽  
S. Theocharopoulos ◽  
G. Koubouris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conservation Tillage ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Olive Trees

Abstract Olive trees are a major source of agricultural residues. Strategies based on different management of organic amendments have been reported to increase soil fertility. The effect of sustainable organic matter input practices (application of shredded pruning residue and olive residue compost to soil) on soil properties in irrigated and rain-fed olive groves was investigated. The study took place in 40 olive groves in the region of Peza, island of Crete, Greece during a 5-year period (2012–2017). The results showed that olive trees play an important role in soil nutrient conservation under semi-arid conditions in the Mediterranean basin. The addition of olive tree residues, in combination with conservation tillage practices, improved soil fertility over the experimental period. Most of the soil properties were favored by irrigation. In olive soil parcels receiving organic materials the soil organic matter and the total nitrogen were increased in irrigated fields. The ability of surface soil to sequester carbon and nutrients beneath the tree canopy of olive groves was high. It is recommended that sustainable soil management practices should consider soil fertility variability of olive orchards.

scholarly journals Assessment of aerial and underground vibration transmission in mechanically trunk shaken olive trees

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben R. Sola-Guirado ◽  
Bruno Bernardi ◽  
Sergio Castro-García ◽  
Gregorio L. Blanco-Roldán ◽  
Souraya Benalia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Dynamic Resistance ◽  
Vibration Transmission ◽  
Coarse Root ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Operational Frequency ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Dominant Vibration Frequency ◽  
Soil Dynamic

The present study analyses the transmission of vibrations generated from a multidirectional trunk shaker to olive tree structure considering both the aerial zone (trunk and branches) and the underground zone (the coarse root). The vibration characterization was conducted by measuring acceleration on several points of the tree during harvesting operations. The influence of two different heights of shaker head clamping was analysed. In addition, a dynamic probing was performed in order to evaluate soil compaction. The results showed that the vibration performed by the trunk shaker head, corresponding to an acceleration resultant of approximately 77 ms–2 with a dominant vibration frequency of 18 Hz, increased up to 106% in branches and decreased up to 90% in trunks. At root level, where the analysis was carried out at 1/3 and 2/3 of the coarse root length, the acceleration values diminished significantly to 17 ms–2 and 12 ms–2, respectively. Soil dynamic resistance was lower (36 kg cm–2) near the trees than between the trees (53 kg cm–2). The vibration transmission to the aerial and the underground parts diversely influences the dynamic behaviour of the olive tree, considering an operational frequency of a commercial trunk shaker. The assessment of vibration transmission to the aerial part could contribute to improve fruit detachment and reduce branch breaking and leaf detachment. While vibration transmission to the underground part rises new challenges considering soil compaction in olive groves.

scholarly journals Mechanized recovery of olive pruning residues: ash contamination and harvesting losses

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Assirelli ◽  
A. Acampora ◽  
S. Croce ◽  
R. Spinelli ◽  
E. Santangelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Above Ground Level ◽  
A Value ◽  
Pruning Residues ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
Harvesting Costs ◽  
Biomass For Energy

Agricultural residues represent an important source of biomass for energy. Among the available biomass suitable for energy and available in Italy, pruning represents about the 20% of the total. About 1.184 million of hectares are planted with olive trees; the pruning residues coming from these plantations represent a wide source of biomass at National level. The authors tested six commercial pruning harvesters to determine harvesting losses and product contamination when recovering pruning residues. All harvesters used a mechanical pick-up to collect the residues and a shredder to reduce them into chips. Three different pick-up settings were tested and namely: 1 cm above ground level, manufacturer’s specification and 3 cm above ground level. Ash content in the shredded material was taken as a measure of contamination: the uncontaminated branch material collected directly from the trees had a value of 3.5%, whereas in shredded residues varied between 4.5% and over 5.5%, for the shortest and the longest distance between the pick-up and the soil surface, respectively. Harvesting losses were slightly, but significantly, related to pick-up setting, and mainly depended on machine type. Both machines have shown a good quality of the work performed and the results obtained indicates that the work phases could be simplified in order to reduce both the time of use and the harvesting costs.

scholarly journals The Use of Biostimulants in High-density Olive Growing: Quality and Production

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Gilberto Hernández-Hernandez ◽  
Domingo M. Salazar ◽  
Juan Martínez-Tomé ◽  
Isabel López-Cortés
Keyword(s):  
Unit Area ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
High Density ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
The Face ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
Olive Trees

Due to the increase of high-density holdings, especially of olive trees, the nutritional requirements of the plants are higher per unit area, which implies that a greater contribution of fertilizers to the soil is needed. Opting for fertilizers of inorganic origin will produce an increase in the pollution of the soil. In the face of this possible soil contamination, our aim is to analyze the effect of biostimulants as an alternative to chemical fertilizers, to steadily produce and maintain high quality standards during the life of the crop. Our objective is using more environmentally friendly products in order to satisfy one of the most important demands from both consumers and the authorities. In this study, we carried out five different treatments in addition to a control treatment with a supply of NPK, from inorganic products, which are used to control fertilization with a solution obtained from seaweed extracts. These treatments were applied in two crop cycles for two of the most important varieties in the current olive tree growing scenario: Arbequina and Koroneiki. This study was developed in the farm Pozohondo, which is located in a crop zone by the Palancia river (Castellón, Valencia, Spain), in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, where the olive trees were established in a high-density system with a planting framework of 4 x 1.5 m. We ensured an exhaustive control of the nutritional needs of the holding by using a fertigation system. We could notice differences in the productions of each applied treatment, avoiding any possible biases through the additional control of 100 randomly selected olives from each of the samples. There is an improvement in the set of physical characteristics of the olives with the treatment that provides amino acids and extra potassium based on amni acids. We analyzed the quality of the olive oil obtained from the production of each treatment by measuring the fatty acids, tocopherols and polyphenols contents. We also carried out an organoleptic tasting analysis following the rules of the International Olive Committee (IOC). We observed an improvement with regard to the rest of treatments in the pomological parameters of the olives when applying the potassium and amino acid biostimulant, while the quality of the oils was not affected by the type of fertilization applied in each treatment.

scholarly journals Soil water content and olive tree yield responses to soil management, irrigation, and precipitation in a hilly Mediterranean area

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 672-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Arampatzis ◽  
E. Hatzigiannakis ◽  
V. Pisinaras ◽  
N. Kourgialas ◽  
G. Psarras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Water Content ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Intensively Managed ◽  
Olive Trees

Abstract Olive trees constitute one of the most dynamic cultivations for Mediterranean countries, while their economic importance is high. As water constitutes a fundamental factor affecting olive tree production, soil water content is a most critical parameter that must be monitored to improve olive trees’ cultivation management. Effects of precipitation, irrigation, and soil management on water content in four soil depths (10, 20, 30, 40 cm), four periods of the year (February–March, April–May, June–July, August–September) and three successive years were determined in 12 Mediterranean olive groves (Trifilia, southern Greece) as well as their respective fruit and olive oil yields. Significantly higher soil water content was recorded in the first (+16.8%) and third (+27.4%) year compared to the second year. Higher (+6.8%) water content was observed in irrigated olive groves compared to rainfed fields. Higher (+5.6%) water content was observed in sustainable olive groves compared to intensively managed fields. Significantly, higher soil moisture was recorded at 40 and 30 cm depth compared to 10 cm depth while intermediate values were observed at 20 cm. Marked increase in fruit yield was achieved through sustainable management (+39%) compared to intensive olive groves. The potential to improve irrigation practices in the area was also indicated by results of the present study.

scholarly journals Moving toward the north? The spatial shift of olive groves in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Filippo Gambella ◽  
Leonardo Bianchini ◽  
Massimo Cecchini ◽  
Gianluca Egidi ◽  
Agostino Ferrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Tree Distribution ◽  
The North ◽  
Spatial Shift ◽  
Olive Groves ◽  
Local Warming ◽  
Olive Trees

Southern Europe is becoming a hotspot for climate change. Appropriate mechanisation is necessary for reducing soil compacting in such contexts. The olive tree distribution – a typical Mediterranean crop – showed a well-defined latitude gradient with progressive decline moving towards the north. Climate change, however, has supposed to cause a significant shift towards the north in the geographical range of olive trees. Our study analyses the spatial distribution of the olive tree area in Italy, a region within the species' ecological range apart from the Northern region, which is now becoming progressively specialised in this crop because of local warming. Results indicate that olive cultivated area increased in Northern Italy, especially in flat districts and upland areas, while decreasing (more or less rapidly) in central and southern Italy because of land abandonment.

Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Babcox
Keyword(s):  
Olive Tree ◽  
Photographic Images ◽  
The Future ◽  
Olive Trees ◽  
The Many ◽  
Radical Transformation

Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane is a suite of photographic images of each of the twenty-three olive trees in the garden. Situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, the Garden of Gethsemane is known to many as the site where Jesus and his disciples prayed the night before his crucifixion. The oldest trees in the garden date to 1092 and are recognized as some of the oldest olive trees in existence. The older trees are a living and symbolic connection to the distant past, while younger trees serve as a link to the future. The gnarled trunks seem written with the many conflicts that have been waged in an effort to control this most-contested city; a city constantly on the threshold of radical transformation.

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