Advantages of olive and lemon intercropping planting
Advantages of olive and lemon intercropping planting
Tree associations, especially in agroecology, play an important ecological and productive role.
Among these, we recall that between olive and lemon.
The association between olive (Olea europaea L., 1753) and lemon (Citrus × limon (L.) Osbeck, 1765) is an agricultural practice that consists of growing both species in the same area. Although it is not a classic or common association like that between vegetables, there are some potential advantages, especially if carefully planned.
Among the advantages, we recall that this association allows for an optimization of space, providing perfect integration between the two plants. Obviously, the association, given the need for different spacing of the two species, can be adopted using a 9 x 9 olive tree spacing and a citrus plant in the center (in quincunx). In this case, the olive tree acts as a windbreak for the lemon and competes excessively for water and nutritional resources.
However, be careful not to choose narrower spacings because if the olive trees provide too much shade, they can limit the development of the lemon.
Obviously, the soil on which to grow the two plants must be suitable for the two species.
Another advantage is that of the diversification of production; having both olive trees and lemons reduces the economic risks associated with diseases, unfavorable years or price drops of a single crop.
Furthermore, since both species are Mediterranean plants and require compatible agronomic techniques: pruning, summer irrigation (especially for the lemon), control of some common diseases such as sooty mold, they integrate very well.
Among other things, the foliage of the olive trees can offer light shade to the lemons in the summer, useful in very hot and sunny areas, reducing water stress.
Conversely, the lemon can offer a humid microclimate near the ground useful for some beneficial microorganisms.
An interesting connection between the two species is that linked to the attraction of useful insects; lemon flowers (which bloom several times a year) can attract pollinating insects, which indirectly also benefit the surrounding environment, including olive trees.
When growing the two species, it is important to keep in mind that the two plants have different water needs: the lemon needs more water than the olive tree. It is therefore important to manage irrigation well to avoid water stress to the olive tree or rot in the lemon. In this case, a subirrigation system along the rows of lemon trees is recommended (especially if in quincunx in the center of 4 olive trees). This technique allows a good water supply for the lemon and ensures the correct water supply to the olive tree, which has lower water needs.
Another consideration must be made for sensitivity to cold: the lemon is more sensitive to frost than the olive tree, so these systems should be avoided in cold areas; intercropping can penalize the lemon.
Also with respect to the supply of nutrients, the lemon requires more fertile soil; for this reason mulching and organic substance contributions must favor the lemon, leaving the residual fertility to the olive.
In general, this association, if well adapted to the soil and climate characteristics, can be much more productive than the sum of the productions of the two separate plantations.