Termo-pluviometric variability of val d’orcia olive orchards area (Italy)

In a context of climate change, the knowledge of local meteorological trend and variability is a very useful tool in precision farming for improving 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. The trend of thermo-pluviometric indices (TX, TN, TG, FD, RR and GDD) for the period 2012-2017 in three weather stations located at different altitude 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.