Olive tree (Olea europaea L.) growing area is threatened by the current and predicted adverse environmental
conditions, affecting negatively plant performance and yield. Thus, agronomic strategies to offset those negative effects
and improve olive orchards sustainability need to be implemented. In this regard, we propose the use of kaolin particle
film, a natural heat and irradiance reflecting clay. To achieve a more comprehensive response about kaolin (5%)
action, during two consecutive years we performed two different experiments, in different geographical locations of
Portugal north-west with “Cobrançosa” cultivar: established olive trees under conventional rainfed conditions and
under deficit irrigation (27.5% of ETc). Generally, during the summer period, kaolin was effective in improving water
status and photosynthetic response, by reducing both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. Moreover, improved leaf
gas exchange restauration after the first rains persists during the winter months in rainfed conditions. Kaolin also
reduces leaf sclerophylly, inducing shade-related leaf characteristics. As a result of better physiological performance
achieved with kaolin application, yield increased 97% and 54.6% in rainfed and deficit irrigation conditions,
respectively. Overall, the results of the present investigation revealed a cost-effective strategy to attenuate the negative
effects of summer stress in olive trees, while allows to save water. Ultimately, this practice might contribute to increase
the sustainability and competitiveness of this sector and anticipate solutions to the negative effects of climate change.This work was funded by the INTERACT project – “Integrative Research in Environment, Agro-Chains and Technology”, no. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000017, in its line of research entitled ISAC, co-financed by
the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through NORTE 2020 (North Regional Operational Program
2014/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
