Effects of Ethrel and Alsol on the Quality of Coratina Olive Fruits

Abstract

Mature ‘Coratina' olive fruit trees were sprayed with each of 0. 750. 1.000. and 1,250 ppm of Ethrel and Alsol. Two weeks after spraying, the crop was harvested by shaking the branches by hand. The quality of the dropped and the remaining fruits was evaluated. No significant effect of any of the treatments of Ethrel or Alsol was noticed on % moisture; % oil; saponification value; % free fatty acids; % total carbohydrates; % starch; % total sugars, % reducing sugars; and % non-reducing sugars, of the dropped and the remaining fruits. It was concluded that Ethrel and Alsol could be used in aiding olive harvesting without affecting the quality of fruits.