ISHS Acta Horticulturae 474: III International Symposium on Olive Growing
REGULATED DEFICIT IRRIGATION IN OLIVE TREES |
| Authors: | S. Alegre, J. Girona, J. Marsal, A. Arbonés, M. Mata, D. Montagut, F. Teixidó, M.J. Motilva, M.P. Romero |
| Keywords: | yield, stomatal conductance, leaf water potential, fruit growth |
| Abstract:
Four irrigation treatments were applied during 1996 in a commercial olive plot (Olea europaea L. cv. “Arbequina”) located in the Mediterranean region of “Les Garrigues” (Lleida, Spain). The Control treatment was fully irrigated during the whole season. Whereas three deficit treatments were applied between the beginning of massive pit hardening (5 July for 1996 season) and the third week of September, at 75% (T-75), 50% (T-50) and 25% (T-25) of Control. Fruit growth, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and shoot growth were monitored from the beginning of deficit period. Leaf water status in the T-25 treatment showed a progressive decrease compared to the Control, but only small differences were observed between T-50, T-75 and Control treatments. Once full irrigation was restored (18 September), T-25 treatment showed a very slow recovery in leaf water status. Fruits of the T-25 grew at lower rates than the other treatments. Water stress during the deficit period accelerated ripening and seemed to increase oil production. As a consequence, no differences were detected in oil yield per tree between treatments. | |
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