Project will improve the production of olives using the mycorrhization process and develop a new product for human consumption.

• Increasing yield and quality of olives in olive groves

In the mycorrhization process, where the main ingredient is Trichoderma spp., the growth and development of olives is improved and the yield and quality of olive oil increases.Trichoderma species are saprophytic fungi (non-pathogenic).They are one of the most distinct antagonists in the microbiological world. Trichoderma in the soil ensure a positive health condition of the plant, increase resistance to diseases and do not affect other beneficial microorganisms. Some Trichoderma species also promote the development and growth of the plant itself. It is expected that the implementation of the project and the application of the aforementioned mycorrhization procedure on specific olive varieties will significantly contribute to the growth, development and health of the olive tree.

• Development and production of premium quality extra virgin olive oil

Increasing the competitiveness of agricultural holdings by applying modern methods of growing and processing olives
Agricultural farms will be able to offer new products on the market, such as extra virgin olive oil of premium quality with precisely defined qualitative parameters, and significantly increase income.
The purpose of the research is to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the implementation of the project to increase the efficiency of olive production in the Republic of Croatia by mitigating negative abiotic factors using the mycorrhization process, to increase the yield and quality of olive oil, which will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of agricultural holdings.

After conducting studies (2022-2024) on the effect of the application of the fungus Trichoderma atroviride in two concentrations of spores per milliliter (higher and lower), conducting nematological analyses of soil biodiversity and chemical analyses of the soil and olive, the following conclusions were reached: The total biodiversity of nematode genera was the highest in all tested cultivars, at both sites, in treatments with Trichoderma at a spore concentration of 106/ml. This treatment differed statistically significantly in the biodiversity of nematode genera from both the control and the treatment in the spore concentration of 108/ml. although statistically significant differences were observed. The overall biodiversity of nematode genera is higher in treatments with Trichoderma in lower concentration compared to higher, which indicates increased soil disturbance in treatments with higher Trichoderma concentration, and disturbed interactions between soil organisms. As far as cultivars are concerned, no statistically significant differences in biodiversity were observed between cultivars. It can be concluded that the influence of the Trichoderma fungus is more clearly expressed at the Vodnjan site and its concentration compared to the Nadin site. The soil was suitable for olive cultivation in terms of its agrochemical properties, although an extremely low level of phosphorus supply available to the plant and a high level of potassium supply were observed in both localities. At both sites, the level of humus in the soil was at the level of the second year of the study. At both sites, a higher content of macroelements in olive fruit was found compared to the first year of research.