Effect of irrigation on Frantoio and Leccino olive cultivars grown for 7 years in rainfed condition

Information concerning the response to different irrigation regime of a 10 years orchard grown in a inland area of Southern Italy, after 7 years - from orchard establishment - of cropping systems in rainfed condition are reported. 'Frantoio' and 'Leccino' were tested, aimed at assessing the most efficient use of irrigation water The field experiment (1999-2001) was carried out at the CNR ISAFOM farm near BN (14°43' E, 41°06' N; 250 m a.s.l.). A total of 149 'Frantoio' and 63 'Leccino' two-year-old trees, were established in 1992. Trees were trained using the monocone system with a planting density of 6 x 3 m. Water was applied to replenish water lost by evapotranspiration in the treatment 100. The other 2 irrigated treatments received 2/3 (66) and 1/3 (33) such water, no water was applied to the rainfed control (treatment 0). ETc was estimated according to class 'A' pan evaporation. Data were adjusted with a pan coefficient (kp = 0.8), a crop coefficient (kc = 0.6) and a 3 ground-cover coefficient (kr = 0.6 in 1999 and 0.8 in 2000 and 2001). Seasonal irrigation depth, was 173, 212 and 278 mm in '99, '00 and '01 respectively, for treatment 100.