In this episode, Success in Agriculture was a guest in the land where AgroTroia was born, the Geyikli town of Ezine, Çanakkale. At the grove of Tuğrul Önal, who has produced olives and olive oil for 25 years, and his son Haluk Önal, the plant nutrition program in olives and the effect of correct care on yield were put on the table. The team, which also filmed at the same grove last year, encountered heavily fruit-laden trees again this year and drew attention to the continuity of success.
A family business in Geyikli and the continuity of success
Tuğrul Önal recounted his nearly quarter-century of growing experience and his entrepreneurial journey. The flag at the grove has now been taken over by his son Haluk Önal, who is an agricultural technician. While researching how to eliminate the fluctuation between the on-year and the off-year, the family got to know AgroTroia and was pleased with the result. Haluk Önal stated that AgroTroia products are used entirely on about 30 decares of the grove, that he could openly say so if he got no result, but that he has not been disappointed to date. For the family, the biggest difference has been free technical support after sale and standing behind the product.
Eliminating the on-year and off-year through nutrition
The on-year and off-year, the most frequently heard concept in olive growing, was discussed at length in the grove. It was explained that after a year of excessive yield the plant depletes its energy and enters a resting period the following year. The AgroTroia team stated that by returning the nutrients and energy the plant has lost, they minimize this periodicity. The product that stands out here is Copperas; the copper, organic acids, and nutrients in its content enter the plant's vascular bundles and keep the shoot mechanism active. Nutrition products such as New Olive and Aminado also complete the program. It was emphasized that good nutrition together with correct pruning relieves the plant of stress and makes it easier to obtain a crop every year.
Support against drought and heat stress
This season's drought experienced in the Northern Aegean, the Aegean, and Thrace was one of the most critical topics in the grove. It was related that growers called for help saying "my olives have shriveled," while the real problem was drought. While it was clearly stated that nothing replaces water, it was honestly expressed that products such as Aminado and Ocean Mix, which contains seaweed and organic matter, support the plant against stress factors, but are not a 100 percent solution. Although foliar spraying of plain water was suggested to growers without irrigation, it was said that if the drought is very advanced, irrigation by tanker or drip is essential. It was noted that Tuğrul Önal's grove is fortunate in this regard, with irrigation continuing even during filming.
The role of nutrition against disease and pests in olives
Although AgroTroia is not a crop-protection company, it was explained with examples that nutrition reduces disease and pest pressure. It was stated that at the root of fruit drops are generally stalk fungus and stalk worm; that the stalk worm can be prevented with spraying done in the early period, when the fruit is bead-sized. Against the stalk rots seen after damp and rainy periods, Copperas is recommended; the copper in its content sets back the fungal agent, prevents rot on the stalk, and ensures the fruit ripens without dropping. For branch canker and trunk exudation, it was shared that a trunk wash performed by mixing 500 cc of Activo with phosphoric acid in a backpack sprayer tank on certain trees makes a serious difference. It was also recalled that cold winters naturally reduce the pest population.
Pre-harvest and post-harvest applications
It was stated that in the region harvest begins roughly between October 20-29 and spreads over a period reaching 25 days. It was related that the Copperas application done 10-15 days before harvest accelerates ripening and increases shaking yield and labor ease; that it visibly raises the amount of olives obtained in a single shaking. Right after harvest, it is recommended to apply Copperas together with a nutrition product containing boron, zinc, and manganese to the grove. Copperas cleans the harvest wounds and reduces the risk of peacock spot; zinc accelerates shoot uptake, boron supports next year's shoot and flower formation and prevents flower sterility, and manganese strengthens photosynthesis. It was particularly emphasized that if reserve energy is not given to the plant after harvest, yield problems may be experienced next season.
AgroTroia products featured in this episode
- Copperas – With its copper and organic acid content, balancing the on-year/off-year, reducing disease pressure, and pre- and post-harvest applications.
- Activo – In trunk washing together with phosphoric acid against branch canker and trunk exudation.
- Aminado – With its amino acid and organic matter content, support against drought and stress factors.
- New Olive – One of the core products of the balanced nutrition program in olives.
This visit to Geyikli showed that success in olive growing is no coincidence; that the on-year/off-year problem can be overcome by carrying out a regular nutrition program, correct pruning, timely intervention, and post-harvest care together. Tuğrul and Haluk Önal's grove became a concrete example of how, with conscious growing, a heavy and quality crop can be obtained despite drought.
Source: AgroTroia – "Success in Agriculture" program, sponsored by AgroTroia.