Enhancing Sustainable Olive Tree Productivity Through Bio-Amended Composted Olive Mill Pomace

Author : Ebtesam E. Abd El-Hameed, Yasser A. El-Tahlawy and Adel M. R. A. Abdelaziz

An integration of olive waste management and their cultivation with integrated circular economy principles to enhance productivity and minimize environmental burdens. This study examines the composting of olive mill pomace, enriched with biological amendments as vermiwash, the fungal consortium of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Trichoderma sp., with farmyard manure for improving soil fertility, enhancing olive tree growth, and promoting productivity. The compost was prepared in June 2021 and divided into three piles as follows: pile 1 (olive mill pomace + olive leaves + farmyard manure), pile 2 (olive mill pomace + olive leaves + farmyard manure + vermiwash), and pile 3 (olive mill pomace + olive leaves + farmyard manure + fungal consortium). Each pile received urea (0.25%) and rock phosphate (3%) as a nutrient amendment. The composting process was monitored through temperature profiles, pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter decomposition, highlighting the efficacy of bioagents in achieving thermophilic conditions, nutrient stabilization, and compost maturity. The prepared compost piles were added in December to Dolce olive trees at 15 years and compared with the usual farm compost (as a control) to assess their impacts on olive tree vegetative growth, leaf nutritional status, flowering, fruit set, fruit characteristics, yield, oil content, and soil fertility during two growing seasons (2022 and 2023). Results demonstrate the superior performance of fungal-enriched compost (olive mill pomace + olive leaves + farmyard manure + fungal consortium) in enhancing soil health, nutrient availability, olive yield, and net profit, supporting its application in sustainable agriculture. The trial's findings indicate that using converted olive wastes is essential for enhancing the nutritional status and soil fertility of the trees, thereby increasing fruit output and quality, productivity, and net income. lowering the amount of fertilizer and the environmental pollution caused by these wastes.

Keywords : Olive Mill Pomace; Bio-Amended Compost; Lignocellulosic fungi; Vermiwash; Olive Productivity,

Received:1/10/2024 12:00:00 AM; Accepted: 3/5/2024 12:00:00 AM