Termo-pluviometric Variability of Val d’Orcia Olive Orchards area (Italy)

Abstract

In a context of climate change, the knowledge of local meteorological trend and variability is a very useful tool in precision farming for crop production and quality. The aim of this study is to analyze the thermo-pluviometric variability of Val d’Orcia olive orchards area (Tuscany, Italy), a hilly region characterized by a great orographic variability that lacs of historical termo-pluviometric information. In this study trend of thermo-pluviometric indices (TX, TN, TG, FD, RR and  GDD) for the period 2012-2017 in three weather station located at different height and orientation in the Val d’Orcia Area are presented. During the study period, yearly extra virgin olive oil (EVO) yield was also analyzed. The variability observed in precipitation confirms the strong influence of topography and atmospheric circulation on local precipitation distribution. While the analysis of thermal regimes and frost days evidence the strong presence of thermal inversion phenomenon in this area. A strong relationship was found between yearly EVO yield and GDD during the vegetative period.