Scientists of the Crimean Federal University. IN AND. Vernadsky (KFU) will be planted the country's first industrial olive grove in a greenhouse. This was reported by the press service of the university.

For olive trees, the subtropical climate of the Southern coast of Crimea is suitable - a narrow strip of the Black Sea coast of the peninsula. So, in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden grows the oldest olive in the Crimea, which is about 2000 years old. However, the Crimean subtropical territory is too small for olive cultivation on an industrial scale.

  • For growing olives in the open ground in the Crimea, only a narrow strip of the South Coast is suitable
  • © KFU them. IN AND. Vernadsky

To obtain a large crop in the more severe conditions of the Steppe Crimea for this culture, it was decided to build a giant greenhouse for 1000 trees. According to representatives of the university, in Russia and even in the world this will be the first attempt to grow a huge olive grove in a protected ground.

“In the conditions of the Steppe Crimea, temperatures that negatively affect the development of generative kidneys of olives are infrequent, but this insignificant period is enough for a complete loss of yield. Moreover, all other climatic conditions are suitable for its cultivation. We decided to conduct a scientific experiment, protecting the plant from low temperatures by planting in a protected ground, ”said Vice-Rector of KFU Mikhail Sergeyev.

According to Sergeyev, the installation of a greenhouse under olive with an area of ​​0.75 ha is currently underway. 

  • Preparatory work in the olive greenhouse
  • © KFU them. IN AND. Vernadsky

In addition to building the greenhouse itself, agronomists prepare the soil for planting and carry out an irrigation system based on fine sprayers. However, the most important part of the preparatory work is the procurement of seedlings. 

“In early June, we will cut the cuttings of the most productive trees in our grove in Foros and take biomaterial. We want to try to get planting material in two ways: by rooting cuttings in the greenhouse using a fogging system, as well as in vitro in our biotechnological complex. It is important for us to obtain planting material in any way to begin the experiment this year, ”added Sergeyev.

In addition to local Crimean olives, cuttings brought from Jordan will be planted in the greenhouse. Scientists at KFU and Sirius University plan to adapt the southern varieties to low temperatures using genetic editing. Bookmark the grove is scheduled for October 2020.