The effect of complementary irrigation on fruit growth, ripening pattern and oil characteristics of olive (Olea europaea L.) cv. Carolea

Complementary irrigation, 80 mm, distributed only during the third stage of fruit development, delayed ripening time and increased fruit size and oil content for fruits of the olive cv. Carolea. Prolonged water deficit reduced fruit growth, oil accumulation rate, K content of the fruit and enhanced ripening and pre-harvest fruit drop. Harvest time affected oil characteristics more than the water availability. Fatty acid composition was not affected by the water;regime but polyphenol content increased and alcohol content decreased in the oil produced by irrigated trees.