Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality
Organic agriculture has few tools against pests and diseases and is constantly looking for effective and sustainable products such as geomaterials, i.e., zeolite. This study evaluates the physiological and morphological responses of olive plants (<i>Olea europaea</i>) to foliar applicati...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Horticulturae |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/338 |
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| author | Annalisa Rotondi Tommaso Ganino Andrea Calderoni Margherita Rodolfi Rohini Dhenge Lucia Morrone |
| author_facet | Annalisa Rotondi Tommaso Ganino Andrea Calderoni Margherita Rodolfi Rohini Dhenge Lucia Morrone |
| author_sort | Annalisa Rotondi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Organic agriculture has few tools against pests and diseases and is constantly looking for effective and sustainable products such as geomaterials, i.e., zeolite. This study evaluates the physiological and morphological responses of olive plants (<i>Olea europaea</i>) to foliar applications of different geo-materials, specifically kaolin, natural zeolite, and ammonium-enriched zeolite. The research examines leaf anatomical modifications, including internal tissue structures, trichome and stomatal density, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange parameters, alongside the impact on fruit development and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality. Results indicate that kaolin application negatively influenced transpiration and stomatal conductance, an effect corroborated by increased xylem vessel wall thickness. However, the reduction in stomatal conductance was attributed to a functional rather than morphological adaptation, as no significant changes in stomatal density or size were observed. Both geo-material treatments altered leaf surface properties, particularly peltate trichome characteristics. Notably, ammonium-enriched zeolite application enhanced photosynthetic rate during early olive development, likely due to its nutritional role, and contributed to increased fruit size and oil yield. These findings highlight the potential of geo-material-based foliar treatments as an effective strategy to optimize plant physiological performance and improve olive oil production in sustainable agricultural systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5c6dff702354f28be892f322d9fceb9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5c6dff702354f28be892f322d9fceb92025-08-20T03:43:34ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-03-0111333810.3390/horticulturae11030338Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil QualityAnnalisa Rotondi0Tommaso Ganino1Andrea Calderoni2Margherita Rodolfi3Rohini Dhenge4Lucia Morrone5Institute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, ItalyInstitute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, ItalyInstitute of BioEconomy, National Research Council, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, ItalyOrganic agriculture has few tools against pests and diseases and is constantly looking for effective and sustainable products such as geomaterials, i.e., zeolite. This study evaluates the physiological and morphological responses of olive plants (<i>Olea europaea</i>) to foliar applications of different geo-materials, specifically kaolin, natural zeolite, and ammonium-enriched zeolite. The research examines leaf anatomical modifications, including internal tissue structures, trichome and stomatal density, chlorophyll content, and gas exchange parameters, alongside the impact on fruit development and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality. Results indicate that kaolin application negatively influenced transpiration and stomatal conductance, an effect corroborated by increased xylem vessel wall thickness. However, the reduction in stomatal conductance was attributed to a functional rather than morphological adaptation, as no significant changes in stomatal density or size were observed. Both geo-material treatments altered leaf surface properties, particularly peltate trichome characteristics. Notably, ammonium-enriched zeolite application enhanced photosynthetic rate during early olive development, likely due to its nutritional role, and contributed to increased fruit size and oil yield. These findings highlight the potential of geo-material-based foliar treatments as an effective strategy to optimize plant physiological performance and improve olive oil production in sustainable agricultural systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/338ESEMgas exchangekaolinleaf anatomyNH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-enriched zeolite<i>Olea europaea</i> L. |
| spellingShingle | Annalisa Rotondi Tommaso Ganino Andrea Calderoni Margherita Rodolfi Rohini Dhenge Lucia Morrone Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality Horticulturae ESEM gas exchange kaolin leaf anatomy NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-enriched zeolite <i>Olea europaea</i> L. |
| title | Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality |
| title_full | Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality |
| title_fullStr | Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality |
| title_short | Olive Plant Treated with Different Geo-Material Foliar Film (Zeolite and Kaolin Based): Leaf Characteristics and Oil Quality |
| title_sort | olive plant treated with different geo material foliar film zeolite and kaolin based leaf characteristics and oil quality |
| topic | ESEM gas exchange kaolin leaf anatomy NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-enriched zeolite <i>Olea europaea</i> L. |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/3/338 |
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