Performance evaluation in olive trees irrigated by treated wastewater

The wide variability in the agronomic behaviour of the olive tree varieties with respect to the irrigation by treated wastewaters is an indicator of the genetic diversity of the olive tree in our country and of its adaptation to this cropping mode. On the agronomic plan, the results obtained show that we can promote wastewaters by the adoption of olive tree as an alternative. Within olive germplasm, the oil varieties seem to be the most favourable to this system in view of their high production and their important vegetative tendency namely Chemlali Sfax, Chemlali Ontha, Chetoui, Zalmati, Souihli and Koroneiki. Three varieties of them seem to have good production regularity. Several genotypes can be used in breeding programs as good genitors for production (Koroneiki) and vegetative growth (Chemlali Tataouine and Dhokkar). Nevertheless, the study of these varieties in such conditions must continue for other years at the level of two important aspects, the production alternation and the oil quality. This supplementary study will allow us to keep varieties that better promote wastewaters on the agronomic and technological plans. The final objectives are to reduce the irrigation part with conventional water resources reserved to agriculture and enhance the national olive and oil production. Acknowledgments This research was funded by the ministry of higher education, scientific research and technology of Tunisia and the Institution of agricultural higher education and research (IRESA). The olive varietal collection was installed with the fruitful cooperation of Tataouine ONAS station and the “Commissariat Regional de Developpement Agricole” of Tataouine.