Dio Pigadia’s soil analysis results
We are proud to share the results of the soil analysis conducted for our olive grove. The soil analysis was conducted by taking samples from Dio Pigadia’s olive grove soil and the neighbouring olive grove in which conventional farming methods are used.
The results reveal that our olive grove soil displays generally larger concentrations of macronutrients in comparison to the neighbouring olive grove that conventional agricultural methods are used (Tilling, Chemical fertilizers, Pesticides etc)
The most impressive differences are related to Nitrogen, Potassium, and Magnesium concentrations. More specifically in Dio Pigadia’s olive grove, the soil Nitrogen is greater by 19 units compared to the conventional olive grove. The Potassium concentration in our olive grove is greater by 24,6 units compared to the conventional olive grove while the Magnesium concentration is greater by 8,3 units.
Below you can find a table with the macronutrient measurements in detail.
| Measurement Type | Units | Conventional Olive Grove | Dio Pigadia’s Olive Grove | Method |
| Water-soluble macronutrients (Extract soil water 1:5) | ||||
| Nitrogen Nitrate | mg N/Kg | 3,50 | 22,50 | AS11 |
| Phosphorus | mg P2O5/ Kg | 1,15 | 1,15 | AS11 |
| Potassium | Mg K2O / Kg | 13,80 | 38,40 | AS11 |
| Calcium | Mg Cao/ Kg | 78,40 | 72,10 | AS11 |
| Magnesium | Mg MgO/ Kg | 9,13 | 17,43 | AS11 |
Boron is an important trace element for olive fruiting. The concentration of boron shows slightly increased values in our olive grove compared to the values of the conventional olive grove.
| Measurement Type | Units | Conventional Olive Grove | Dio Pigadia’s Olive Grove | Method |
| Extractable Trace Elements | ||||
| Water Soluble Boron | mg B/Kg | 1,73 | 1,90 | AS14 |
The ideal PH for the olive trees, to facilitate the absorption of nutrients, should be between 6.5 and 7.5.
In the results of the soil analysis, we see that the PH in our olive grove is 7.5 (Slightly Alkaline) while in the neighbouring conventional olive grove, the PH is 8.5 (Strongly Alkaline). So we can conclude that the soil management of our olive grove has reduced the PH favoring the absorption of nutrients.
Additionally, the soil of organic matter is clearly improved in Dio Pigadia’s olive grove compared to the neighbouring field.
| Measurement Type | Units | Conventional Olive Grove | Dio Pigadia’s Olive Grove | Method |
| Walkey-Black method | ||||
| Organic matter | % | 2,46 (Slightly Low) | 3,37 (Normal) | AS9 |
These results highlight for one more time that regenerative agricultural practices can impressively improve soil health and consequently agricultural productivity.
