Influence of regulated deficit irrigation strategies applied to olive trees (Arbequina cultivar) on oil yield and oil composition during the fruit ripening period

This study evaluated the effect of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strat egies applied to olive trees (Arbequina cv) during the fruit ripening and h arvest periods on oil yield and oil composition. Fatty acid composition, pi gments, colour, polyphenol content and stability of oils were evaluated. Th e results indicate that regulated deficit irrigation induces fruit ripening ; at harvest, oil yield increased when water supply was decreased, probably as a consequence of lower water content in the olive. Acidic composition w as not affected by irrigation treatments. Irrigation affected pigment conte nt and oil colour primarily during the early stages of olive ripening. RDI increased polyphenol concentration and stability of oils at all picking dat es, especially during the first stages of the ripening period, probably owi ng to water stress. (c) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.