How does the olive tree reproduce? A 'love' without limits
Have you ever wondered how the olive tree reproduces?
Scientifically known as Olea europaea, this tree is an ancient species that has captivated generations with its beauty and, especially, with the world-renowned elixir that emanates from its fruit: olive oil. But to get to taste it, there is an entire reproductive process behind it that allows this natural wonder to perpetuate. Find out!
How does the olive tree reproduce?
The first thing you should know when talking about how the olive tree reproduces is that there are two types of propagation:
- The sexual, where two parents intervene and there is genetic variation.
- The asexual, in which only one parent participates, so the result is rather a clone with the same genetic load.
But let's look at them carefully.
sexual reproduction
The olive tree is a species of sexual reproduction and monocline-monoecious, which means that It has male, female and hermaphrodite flowers on the same floor. This means that the anthers (male) release pollen to fertilize the stigmas (female). How easy, right? However, what may seem like a simple process to you is not so simple.
Because? The same variety of olive tree does not usually fertilize itself. This is what is known as an allogamous reproductive system, unlike autogamous species, such as citrus or tomato plants. For this reason, on olive farms it is recommended to grow different varieties, so that pollination between them is facilitated.
Therefore, For the flowers to transform into fruits and produce what is called fruit set, the activity of the wind or bees is necessary.. In fact, olive pollen can travel hundreds of kilometers to make the expected 'match'. Of course, the olive tree, like olive oil, is very exquisite, so to speak: only between 1 and 2% of the flowers are fertilized. There are even fruits, called zofairones or gracejos, that are formed without seeds (parthenocarpic) due to failed fertilization.
Once fertilized, the seeds can develop into an olive for harvest or fall to the ground and, under the right conditions, give rise to a new tree. However, you may not know it, but The characteristics of this new specimen will be completely different from those of the parents and, to a large extent, of inferior quality. Keep in mind that this reproduction by seed, without proper care, causes what is known as wild olive or olive edge. Hence, this option of how the olive tree reproduces is used exclusively to obtain new varieties and always with strict human supervision.
asexual propagation
When you see an olive tree in the germination season, notice how there are some buds on its branches. From them will arise the olive flowers involved in the aforementioned sexual reproduction. But not all of these buds will have the same purpose: another part will become vegetative shoots, that is, they will give rise to new stems, roots or leaves that reinforce the specimen in question.
It is through this type of propagation that farmers assume the role of 'Celestina', using asexual reproduction to create new plants through these fragments of the original tree. Remember that, in this case, the new specimen will have the same genetic load as the original, which is why it is very useful to preserve the qualities of established crops.
To achieve the growth of the new olive tree, there are different techniques. They can be used cuttings, which means cutting young branches from the tree and plant them in substrate so that the roots grow. Another way of how the olive tree reproduces vegetatively is the grafts, where a branch is planted at the root of another plant so that they fuse. It is also possible to propagate the olive grove from air layers, by covering a branch with moist soil, allowing it to take root and give rise to a new specimen.
What impact does the propagation of the olive tree have on the oil?
As you may have observed when analyzing how the olive tree reproduces, The propagation of this species requires hard work of care and some luck. But in addition, a delicate balance must be maintained between quantity and quality.. In this way, it is necessary control playback, especially the vegetative one, to prevent the foliage from absorbing part of the energy that the fruits should accumulate if we want a superior olive oil.
For example, it is advisable to eliminate the suckers that germinate on the roots either apply correct pruning and supply of nutrients to reduce the impact of would sometimes, is a phenomenon by which, after a good year, another poorer harvest occurs. Not to mention the meteorological conditions, so crucial in the results of the season.At Hacienda Guzmán we are aware of all the factors involved in how the olive tree reproduces and, therefore, We maintain the highest standards in the cultivation and production of our EVOOs, prioritizing quality over quantity. Thus, in the 340 hectares of organic farming on our La Rinconada farm, we control the irrigation, nutrition and pests of all the specimens and select only the olive trees that have the best productivity and quality of the fruit as raw material for the five varieties of extra virgin olive oil. Try them!
