Effect of irrigation on fruit quality of table olives (Olea europaea), cultivar ‘Ascolana tenera

Abstract

This trial was carried out to study the relationship between irrigation and vegetative and productive activity and fruit quality of table olives (Olea europaea), cultivar ‘Ascolana tenera’. Irrigation every 15 days, with c. 0.4 m3/tree at each irrigation, from the end of June to mid September, induced higher leaf surface area, photosynthesis, and transpiration during the entire growing period compared to the control. This led to an overall positive effect on total production per tree. Fruit weight, volume, and pulp/pit ratio all increased. Water availability influenced cell division more than cell expansion. Fruit shape was not influenced. Irrigation had no substantial delaying effect on ripening. With irrigation, pulp water content increased, and firmness and fruit sugar content decreased slightly, but after preservation in brine, pulp water content, and the sensory characteristics of the olives (flavour, texture, and detachment of the pulp from the pit) from irrigated and non-irrigated olives were not substantially different. Irrigation improved the commercial value of the fruit by increasing size, higher pulp/pit ratio, and more intense fruit colouring. © 1996 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.