GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES OF OLIVE IN REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS AND FRUIT YIELD RESPONSE TO DEFICIT IRRIGATION

Water is the most important environmental factor in growth and fruit yield of trees. To study the effect of deficit irrigation on reproductive characteristics and yield of seven superior olive genotypes of D1, Dd(1), Gw, Ps(1), Bn-3, Bn-6, and Ds(17). The present research was accomplished in Dallaho Olive Research Station of Sarpol-e zahab, Kermanshah, Iran, in 2014 and 2015. Seven superior olive genotypes were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and three irrigation regimes. The irrigation treatments included: 100% full irrigation (control), 75% deficit irrigation, and 50% deficit irrigation applied during the growth season. The results indicated that the genotypes had different reactions to the deficit irrigation regimes. Dd(1) had the highest fruit weight, while the lowest fruit weight was observed in Ps(1) and Gw. The highest fruit yield was found in Bn-3, Bn-6, and Dd(1), while the lowest was observed in Ps(1). As a result, Bn-6 and Dd(1) are introduced as the genotypes that are resistant to drought in the field.