Drought induced decrease in crop yields calls for careful consideration of irrigation systems that would ensure production constancy and quality. Slovene Istria has only limited water resources. From the point of view of water protection, it is therefore necessary not only to use water rationally, but also to study systematically the amount of irrigation applications that olives need under such cultivation conditions. In order to determine the amount that would have positive impacts on tree growth, crop yield and quality, we carried out experimental irrigation of 'Istrska belica' in the national introduction orchard in Strunjan and in the stock nursery in Dekani, with 50 trees being included in the experiment on each location. Every 10 trees were exposed to different irrigation regimes, with irrigation applications covering only part of total potential evapotranspiration (ETp) in the following manner: 1st observation – control (no irrigation), 2nd observation – 33% ETp, 3rd observation – 66% ETp and 4th observation – 100% ETp. The highest crop yields per tree (36 kg/tree) were observed in the irrigation regime of 100% ETp, and the lowest (18 kg/tree) in the control group, which received no irrigation applications. The surface areas with the irrigation regime of 100% ETp received 3,600 m3/ha of water per growing season, which is a slightly higher amount of water than the one (500 – 2,500 m3/ha) calculated for different types of plants included in the Slovene Irrigation Project.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 1923539Our researchers collaborated in the organization of the international scientific conference, an activity carried out within the ZOOB project (Pollution Reduction and Biodiversity Conservation in Agriculture with Emphasis on Olive Growing) co-financed by the Operational Programme IPA Slovenia-Croatia 2007-2013. Entitled “New Research Approaches in Olive Growing”, the two-day scientific conference was held in Portorož on 16 and 17 February 2012. The participants presented the latest knowledge and new approaches in the fields of olive protection, molecular research into olives, chemical properties of olive oil, and biodiversity in olive orchards. A section of the conference focused on the presentation of results of analysis of the state of water balance and olive trees after drought, as well as on measures implemented in order to decrease drought sensitivity. One of the conference results was the publication of a collection of peer-reviewed conference proceedings.
C.01 Editorial board of a foreign/international collection of papers/book
COBISS.SI-ID: 260184064Leading and coordination of international EU project of Cross-border cooperation Slovenia-Italy 2007-2013: CROSS-BORDER NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY, Acronym: SIGMA2. The aim of the project is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity on cross-border area and improve the environmental protection. Planned activities include initiatives for comprehensive studies and analysis in order to provide a better knowledge of the territory. The project is planning activities for the development of environmental models and activities to maintain and protect biodiversity (free-growing and cultivated plants) through the establishment of special zones (Mediterranean gardens and collection plantations). Expectation of the project is also the construction of Centre of the Mediterranean cultures (CMK) with a functional permanent structure that will operate on cross-border area, with the mission of preserving the environmental program.
D.01 Chairing over/coordinating (international and national) projects
COBISS.SI-ID: 2175443