Due to the global demand for olive oil and fruits amidst water scarcity, it has become necessary to make informed management decisions around the minimum amount of water required to obtain optimal olive tree productivity while maintaining tree health.
The research uses a unique combination of remote sensing and proximal weather, soil, and tree-based sensors, which can be deployed in open and protected cropping scenarios, to investigate the effects of water stress thresholds on the yield, quality, and health of Australian olive tree crops. The research addresses the negative effects of consistent water stress on plant productivity in open or protected systems.
