Olive Production Manual for Oil

Book excerpt: The olive oil industry in California has undergone a sea change over the last decade, with acreage of oil olives surpassing that of table olives. Now UC researchers and industry leaders turn their expertise to this important market. This extensive manual covers all aspects of olive production for oil, from orchard site selection to processing of virgin olive oil. Changes fueling the growth in production are covered, including establishing high-density and super high-density orchards, the latest methods of irrigation management, and harvesting methods. The concepts presented in the book are scalable, benefiting large and niche growers alike. Topics covered include: · International and California standards for olive oil grades · Soil and nutrient management · Canopy management · Anthropod pests, including the invasive olive fruit fly and the olive psyllid · Nematode pests · Diseases · Weed management · Spray application techniques · Harvesting efficiency Written in the easy-to-use style you’ve come to expect from UC ANR and accompanied by color photos, tables, and worksheets. Each chapter leads with a bullet list of key concepts covered in the chapter. This is a “must-have” manual for everyone in the olive oil industry.