Challenge With global demand for olive oil and fruit rising, water scarcity poses a critical threat to sustainable production. Olive trees, though resilient, suffer productivity and health losses under prolonged water stress. Identifying the minimum water requirements to maintain both yield and tree health is essential for informed, resource-efficient management.
Solution This research employs a novel integration of remote sensing with proximal sensors including weather, soil, and tree-based technologies, to monitor and analyse water stress thresholds in olive trees. These tools are used across both open and protected cropping systems to evaluate the impacts of varying water levels on yield, fruit quality, and tree vitality. The approach allows for precise measurement and real-time decision-making.
Impact The findings will provide growers with data-driven irrigation strategies that maximise water efficiency without compromising productivity. This will support sustainable olive production, improve resilience to climate variability, and contribute to long-term water resource conservation in Australian horticulture.
