Yield stability and Pomological Characteristics of Commercial Cultivars Konservolia, Zard and Amphisis Olive under Deficit Irrigation Stress and Salicylic Acid Foliar Application

In order to investigate the effects of salicylic acid foliar application under water stress on yield stability and pomological characteristics of some olive cultivars in Dalahoo research station in Kermanshah province, an factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design with three replications and three factors (salicylic acid concentrations, Irrigation regimes and olive cultivars) was carried out During the year 2018. 

This experiment was conducted in Dallaho Olive Research Station (Geographical characters was longitude of 45˚, 51΄ E and latitude of 34˚,30΄ N and the height of sea level 571m) located in Kermanshah province. Experimental material of this study was 17-year-old olive trees including Konservolia, Zard and Amphisis were studied in preset research. Salicylic acid were applied at 3 concentrations; 0 (water spraying) and 1.5 and 3 mmol, before flowering and before the rapid growth of fruit. Irrigation treatments, including irrigation of 100% of the water requirement of olive trees (control), irrigation of 75% of the water requirement of olive trees and irrigation of 50% of the water requirement of olive trees during the season, were applied with drip irrigation system.17-year-old olive trees of three cultivars; Konservolia, Zard and Amphisis were studied in preset research. The Each experimental unit consisted of two trees. The effects of salicylic acid and water stress on the yield stability and pomological characteristics of the olive cultivars were evaluated one year period. Fruit traits including yield, fruit weight, fruit length and diameter, pulp fresh and dry weight, fruit moisture percent, pulp/pit ratio and pulp percent were measured. 

The results showed that the different cultivars, salicylic levels and irrigation regime had a significant effect (p <0.01) on the yield stability and pomological characteristics compared control. 50% irrigation treatment compared with other irrigation treatments reduced the fresh and dry weight of the fruit, length and diameter of the fruit. In general, the response tested of olive cultivars to the applied treatments was different. The highest fruit weight and dimensions, flesh fresh and dry weight, fruit water percent, ratio of flesh dry weight to seed, flesh percent and fruit yield per hectare were observed in Konservolia cultivar and the lowest amount of these traits was indicated in Amphisis cultivar. Foliar application of salicylic acid on fruit weight and dimensions, flesh fresh and dry weight, fruit water percent and fruit yield per hectare were increased and drought stress reduced the amount of these characteristics. Only the dry matter percent decreased under influence of salicylic acid application and elevated under drought stress. Amphisis cultivar had the highest and Konservolia cultivar had the lowest dry matter.  According to the obtained results, the reproductive traits measured in the three olive cultivars were associated to the amount of irrigation water.

According to the obtained results, Konservolia cultivar could be recommended as elite cultivars to use under deficit irrigation.