DETERMINATION OF WATER CONSUMPTION OF THE OLIVE TREE UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

The effects of irrigation on olive yield and fruit quality of ‘Memecik’ olive cultivar in Kemalpasa-Izmir area in various growth periods were studied during 1980–87. According to the results of the experiment, irrigation at the pit hardening period was effective on production. Two irrigations at the end of blooming and at pit hardening were the most effective treatments. The production increased by 54.19% in comparison to the non irrigated control. Irrigation also influences fruit size and flesh/pit ratio. When the trees were irrigated during fruit changing color period ripening of fruits were delayed. There were no clear differences on the percentage of oil for the different irrigation periods.