Assessing the impact of deficit irrigation strategies on agronomic and productive parameters of Menara olive cultivar: implications for operational water management

The olive tree is an iconic in the Mediterranean region, traditionally cultivated under rainfed conditions; however, cultivars are also found outside region and widely used for oil production. However, with increasing aridity global changes, agroecosystems facing sustainability challenges. This study aims to evaluate effect of two deficit irrigation strategies on agronomic productive parameters Menara, cultivar as a tool operational water management. For this purpose, experiment was conducted orchard consecutive years (2021 2022), comparing four regulated (RDI) treatments sustained (SDI) treatments, fully irrigated trees. results showed that moderate controlled stress RDI did not significantly affect yield Menara cultivar. In addition, by reducing plant requirement 20% during sensitive periods 40% normal periods, RDI, it possible save between 25% 30% increase productivity 5%–20% slight decrease fruit ranging 10% 15%. trees subjected strategy exhibited reduced capacity shoot growth compared those conditions. Our findings deprivation phenological traits slowed down growth. Furthermore, status reflected volume, supply resulted corresponding reduction volume. Although provides important insights into management cultivation, short observation period does allow long-term adaptation evaluation beyond 2 years. Therefore, recommended future studies extend better understand regimes.