Authors
Rodrigues, Nuno
Peres, António M.
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The number of plants per hectare is a key factor for olive tree productivity. Nevertheless, information about the
effect of tree density on olive oil quality and composition is scarce. Thus, the effect of planting densities of cv.
Arbequina trees on olive oil quality and composition was studied along the first four years of production. Two
types of planting tree arrangements were evaluated, namely olive trees planted at different distances within a
row (2.0 m; 1.5 m; 1.25 m; and 1.0 m, fixing the space between rows equal to 4.0 m) or at different distances
between rows (4.0 m; 3.5 m; and 3.0 m, fixing the space within the same row at 1.5 m), which led to planting
densities from 1250 to 2500 trees ha−1. The results indicated that the quality parameters, composition, antioxidant
activity and oxidative stability were significantly affected by the densities of plants and the crop year (Pvalue
< 0.0001, for one-way ANOVA). An increase of plants in the row and between rows showed a tendency
for a slight increase of free acidity, and a reduction of the peroxide value and of the extinction specific coefficients.
Fatty acid composition was also affected, with a tendency for the decrease of C16:0, C18:0, SFA and
PUFA, and an increase of C18:1, C18:2 and MUFA. The antioxidant activity and the oxidative stability also
showed a reduction trend. For all parameters evaluated, the crop year had a marked influence. The year of
production had significant statistical effects on the evaluated parameters, which could be related to agro-climatic
factors.
Description
Keywords
Arbequina olive oils Chemical composition Oxidative stability Planting density Quality
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Rodrigues, Nuno; Casal, Susana; Peres, António M.; Baptista, Paula; Bento, Albino; Martín, Hugo; Asensio-S.-Manzanera, M. Cármen; Pereira, José Alberto (2018). Effect of olive trees density on the quality and composition of olive oil from cv. Arbequina. Scientia Horticulturae. ISSN 0304-4238. 238, p. 222-233