Dalla gestione “Soft” alla riforma : evoluzione dell’oliveto secondo il sistema “Zaragoza”

From "Soft" Management to Structural Reform: Evolution of the Traditional Olive Orchard According to the "Zaragoza" System In the province of Enna, in a context typical of traditional Sicilian olive growing, trees with low trunks, bare branches, and an upward-growing canopy are observed. This structure, the result of years of clear-cutting, has created closed internal environments, dimly lit and subject to high humidity, with negative effects on productivity and health. For these orchards, Agronomist Vito Vitelli has introduced a "Soft Zaragoza" approach, based on progressive interventions to improve the structure without drastic measures. The goal is to open the canopy, promote light and ventilation, and contain growth through return cuts and spurring. Spurring is essential: compared to clear-cutting, it stimulates new growth and reduces internal desiccation, creating a lymphatic attraction that limits upward growth and reactivates internal production. However, this approach is temporary and does not address the structural limitations. The real paradigm shift is reform pruning. With a cut 100–110 cm from the crown and at a 45° angle, a strong vegetative recovery is stimulated, leveraging the existing root system. The plant is then built up with 3–4 cycles of topping and edging at 15–20 cm, forming a bushy, multi-branched structure. Subsequently, pruning is performed to reduce apical dominance and encourage lateral development, the site of production. Management is completed with production pruning: cleaning the "palm of the hand," opening the light cone, and bringing the plant back into shape. The result is a shorter, brighter, and more manageable plant, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. With more intensive spacing (6 x 3 m), 500–550 plants/ha are achieved: even with 18–20 kg/plant, yields exceed 100 quintals/ha. Thickening accelerates the transition to curtain wall systems. Experience shows that the limit is not technical but cultural: reform requires courage, but it is the only path to modern, efficient, and sustainable olive growing according to the Zaragoza model of Agronomist Vito Vitelli. Nago Bay by Arthur Vyncke |   / arthurvost   Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Family Business by Jay Someday |   / jaysomeday   Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Better Luck by tubebackr |   / tubebackrmusic   promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comAttri...-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported (CC BY-ND 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Imagine by Zach Remick |   / zachremickmusic   promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Start by Roa Music |   / roa_music1031music   promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/... When I'm Gone by LiQWYD | https://www.liqwydmusic.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Smile by Hozgram |   / hozgrammusic   promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Perfect by LiQWYD | https://www.liqwydmusic.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/...