Performances des varietes second aires d’olivier (Olea europaea l.,)‎ EN Tunisie

Abstract EN

This work was carried out in northern Tunisia in order to evaluate the performances of the secondary olive varieties (Barouni, Beldi, Dokhar, Rkhami, Kessi, Gerboui, Zarrazi, Zalmati, Zarzane, Chamchali, Tounsi, Gemri, Dhahbia, Besbassi, Gtar et Oueslati) of ten years old, cultivated intensively under deficit irrigation regimes (64%ETc).

Results were compared to those obtained for the main olive varieties, i.e., Chétoui and Chemlali cultivated in the same area and elsewhere.

It appeared that olive varieties Chemlali, Zarzane and Doukhar are the most vigorous, with average canopy volumes >15 %, annual shoot growth ranging between and 35% and soil cover > 20 %.

This latest should be considered for each variety individually when estimating the crop water needs because it varies greatly with cultivars.

The seasonal recovery of 64 % ETc was suitable for most varieties, although some of them showed some fruit diameter shrinkage during the stage 2, this was seen for Sayali (-20.7%), Dhahbia (-3 %) and Chemlali (- -adjusted after flowering.

On the basis of the WUE, varieties were classified.

The cultivars Barouni and Zarrazi provided WUEfruit >1 mm/m3, while the cvs., Souihli, Chemchali, Beldi, Chétoui, Zarzane, Rkhami and Dhahbia had WUEproduction>1 kg/m3.

Results relative to oil analysis, showed values of oil content varying between 8.5 % (Rkhami) and 20.9 % (Barouni) following the cultivar, with values exceeding 15% for Barouni, Sayali and Chétoui.

The two latest presented high levels of oleic acid (70%) which is higher than that recorded for the Chétoui cv., (62 %), which is widespread in northern Tunisia.

Values of the Palmitic acid (C16:0) ranged between 12.36 % (Rkhami) and 20.71 % (Chemlali).

The high level is considered as a default.

To conclude, we can say that the choice of varieties is primordial to get harmonious orchard.

Some varieties like Chétoui which is Auteur correspondant : Masmoudi Charfi C.: masmoudi.chiraz@yahoo.fr known for its severe alternate bearing and low yield may be substituted by more performant local cultivars, which are well adapted to the predilection local conditions.