Evaluation of vegetative growth and adaptation of seven olive varieties (Olea europaea L.) under subtropical conditions: a case study in Florida, USA.

Abstract

The olive tree is one of the longest-living trees worldwide; its growth slows down with age, and its capacity for regeneration and resistance to adverse climates makes it long-lived. This study aims to evaluate the growth and adaptation of seven olive varieties under the subtropical conditions of Florida to identify those with the greatest potential for sustainable olive farming at Olive Land Farms, located in the small town of Hastings, Florida. For the growth study, a completely randomized design was used; the agronomic behavior of the olive trees was evaluated, taking into account the edaphoclimatic conditions of the farm; the dendrometric variables height, diameter, and canopy width were measured during the period from August 2023 to October 2024, covering two consecutive vegetative cycles. For soil analysis, random sampling was applied, with eight samples taken at a depth of 0-40 cm in the area where the plantation is located. The results show that the variety has a significant influence on the vegetative growth (height, diameter, and canopy width) of olive trees grown under subtropical conditions in Florida. The Arbequina variety proved to be the best adapted in terms of growth and vegetative development, showing the highest values in the evaluated variables. In contrast, the Kalamata variety showed the least development, indicating a suboptimal adaptation to the environmental conditions of the study area.