New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science abstracts

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Short communication 

Development of a dry matter maturity index for olive (Olea europaea)

Michael V. Mickelbart
Dale James

Soil, Plant & Ecological Sciences Division
P.O. Box 84
Lincoln University
Canterbury, New Zealand
email: mickelbm@lincoln.ac.nz

Abstract  A method for calculating dry matter percentage of olive (Olea europaea) was developed as a potential means of assisting growers to determine optimal harvest time. The method was based on the microwave dry matter test commonly used in the avocado industry. Dry matter percentage was correlated with fruit oil content. Although the relationship was not a strong one, it was a better indicator of oil content than the commonly used colour index. This dry matter test may have potential for use in cool climate olive production.

Keywords  dry matter accumulation; oil content

H03013 Received 10 February 2003; accepted 7 April 2003; published 8 August 2003
New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2003, Vol. 31: 269-276
0014-0671/03/3103-0269 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2003

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