Does ‘Chetoui’ Olive Cultivar Change Fruit and Oil Characteristics When Grown Outside Its Geographical Origin?

Abstract

In this study, ‘Chetoui’ olive cultivar grown in two different regions in central and northern Tunisia, under rainfed and irrigated system, was evaluated for fruit characteristics, oil acidity, chlorophyll, phenols content and fatty acid composition during 2 crop years. Results showed that fruit characteristics including size, maturity index and oil content were not affected either by the growing site or the cultivation system. However, free acidity increased in oil samples harvested from the north site particularly at the irrigated orchards. Chlorophyll content was greater in oils from the centre and phenols content was affected only by irrigation regime. Furthermore, the fatty acid composition of oils showed a slight effect for the growing site but a significant effect for the crop year. Overall, it was determined that, outside of its origin area in the northern Tunisia, ‘Chetoui’ olive oil of high quality can also be produced in the central region.