Analytical characteristics of virgin olive oil from young trees (Arbequinacultivar) growing under linear irrigation strategies

The effect of a linear (vs. effective crop coefficient, K-c), irrigation st rategy applied to young olive trees (Arbequina cv.) on the qualitative and quantitative parameters of virgin olive oil quality was studied. Although l inear irrigation strategy did not affect the quality indexes used to classi fy olive oil by commercial grades, it did influence other important paramet ers such as total phenol content, bitter index, oxidative stability, and th e sensorial appraisal. All of these of olive oil qualities were negatively associated with the amount of applied irrigation water. Pigment content of oils determined by carotenoid and chlorophylls also was negatively associat ed with the amount of water supplied. No consistent relation was found for a-tocopherol and fatty acid.