LYSIMETRIC ANALYSIS OF WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUNG TABLE-OLIVE TREES

Water requirements (ETm) of young table-olive trees were determined by lysimetric method, resulting in an estimated water amount of 305 mm from May to October. Three treatments, consisting in different water supplies (100%, 66% and 33% of ETm) were compared, and showed that tree growth and yield decreased in trees with the minimun water amount; no differences were found between the other treatments. Fruit weight also decreased in treatment with 33% of ETm, while little differences were found on flesh, fats and reducing sugars content in the fruit.