Modulation of the Irrigation Practices in Croatia for More Sustainable Olive Growing

Zoran Šikić, Šime Marcelić, Karolina Brkić Bubola (), Maja Jukić Špika, Ana Gašparović Pinto, Marko Zorica (), Šimun Kolega, Igor Pasković, Anja Novoselić, Dora Klisović and Tomislav Kos
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Zoran Šikić: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, HR-23000 Zadar, Croatia
Šime Marcelić: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, HR-23000 Zadar, Croatia
Karolina Brkić Bubola: Department of Agriculture and Nutrition, Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Karla Huguesa 8, HR-52440 Poreč, Croatia
Maja Jukić Špika: Department of Applied Sciences, Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Put Duilova 11, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
Ana Gašparović Pinto: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, HR-23000 Zadar, Croatia
Marko Zorica: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, HR-23000 Zadar, Croatia
Šimun Kolega: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, HR-23000 Zadar, Croatia
Igor Pasković: Department of Agriculture and Nutrition, Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Karla Huguesa 8, HR-52440 Poreč, Croatia
Anja Novoselić: Department of Agriculture and Nutrition, Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Karla Huguesa 8, HR-52440 Poreč, Croatia
Dora Klisović: Department of Agriculture and Nutrition, Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Karla Huguesa 8, HR-52440 Poreč, Croatia
Tomislav Kos: Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Square of Prince Višeslav 9, HR-23000 Zadar, Croatia

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-28

Abstract: Olive groves in the Mediterranean may lose production sustainability because of their vulnerability to climatic change. Irrigation is an important measure that could significantly affect fruit yield, olive fruit fly infestation, and oil characteristics. The aim of paper was to compare the regulated deficit irrigation with different water management practices, in consecutive years, in two locations in Zadar County (Croatia), affecting fruit morphology, olive fruit fly infestation, and quantity and quality of the extracted Coratina cultivar oil. Treatments, namely C—rainfed, T 1 —deficit irrigation (produce’s practice), T 2 —regulated deficit irrigation, and T 3 —full irrigation (100% ECTO), were established. Irrigated treatments had a positive effect on all morphological characteristics of the fruit. The pulp mass, independently of the year, increased in irrigated treatment (ranging from 1.04 to 1.65 in C to 2.25 and 2.30 in the irrigated treatments) and resulted in a higher oil content on a fresh weight basis (ranging from 16.39% to 17.85% in C to 19.48% to 23.26% in the irrigated treatments). However, fruit yield per tree was only location-dependent. When olive fruit fly presence was high, fruit infestation was greatest in the irrigated compared to the rainfed treatment. According to quality parameters, all oils were classified as EVOO. Individual phenols were influenced by irrigation, while the composition of fatty acids was more influenced by location than treatment. The sensory characteristics of the resulting oil were slightly reduced compared to rainfed treatment. The results indicate that regulated deficit irrigation benefits water use sustainability without compromising the quality of the oil.

Keywords: climate change; irrigation management; olive fruit; olive fruit fly; olive production; oil quality and composition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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