Impact of pre-harvest irrigation on fruit yield and oil contents of olive (Olea europaea L.) cv. Coratina

Field experiment was carried out in olive (Olea europaea L.) orchard at two places “Barani Agriculture Research Institute, Chakwal” and ‘‘Izhar Olive Farm, Kallar Kahar’’ located in Punjab, Pakistan on cultivar ‘’Coratina’’ to analyze the impact of pre-harvest irrigation on fruit weight, fruit moisture contents and oil contents. 9-10 years old fruiting trees of uniform plant canopy and similar fruit load were selected for research purpose. Other than control treatment (T0), two different irrigation treatments (T1; 100 liters of water/ plant and T2; 200 liters of water/ plant) were applied in three splits at six days interval to till eighteen days before fruit harvesting. Different yield parameters i.e. fruit weight, fruit moisture contents and oil contents were measured after irrigation application. It was determined that irrigated plants with 200 liters of water had more fruit yield in term of more individual fruit weight. Furthermore, it was also found that irrigation had little effect on fruit size. However, oil contents generally decreased with increase in volume of irrigation water. Water contents (fruit moisture) were found more in plants irrigated with 200 liters of water followed by 100 liters of water. Fruit weight was more in irrigated olive plants with 200 liters of water followed by 100 liters of water. Hence, results would be amazing if irrigation is applied sharply before harvesting that facilitates more return to olive growers if they sale fruit of olive for pickling or other fresh fruit consumption purposes.