Effects of Climate on Fruit Growth and Development on Olive Oil Quality in Cultivar Carolea

Trees of the olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivar Carolea grown in Calabria (Italy) three sites with different main climate traits (temperatures, rainfall, Growth Degree Days seasonal variations) were studied for years to see ripening time course and quality oils. The optimal harvesting obtaining best-quality oils was defined each site. effect on indexes periods also considered, linking this observed various thermal regimes. climates largely affected growth development fruits obtained Lower temperatures higher rainfall slow down fruit delay ripening. Olive good (free acidity, fatty acid composition, antioxidant components oxidative stability site lower when still yellow-green ripe had a detachment index between 1.9 1.5. Climate change, evidenced by rising temperatures, led movement groves from high-temperature coastal plain intern foothills.