Edafología. Volumen 7-2. Mayo 2000. pag 9-15.
ABSTRACT
Iron chlorosis in olive trees reduces not only yield but also virgin olive quality. Vivianite (ferrous phosphate) applied to soil at the rate of 1 kg/olive was found effective in correcting Fe chlorosis, at least, three years after application. The objective of this work was study the effectiveness of treating chlorotic olives with vivianite in the attributes of virgin olive oil. In March 1998 three experimental fields (two with cultivar Picual and one with cultivar Manzanillo) were conducted in a randomized block design with two treatments (control with no Fe fertilizer and vivianite). In 1999 at the harvest season olives were collected to extract oil and analyze it. Oxidative stability, chlorophyll and carotenoid content of virgin olive oil were higher in treated trees with vivianite than in control trees.
KEY WORDS: iron chlorosis, ferrous phosphate, virgin oil quality, chlorophyll, carotenoid, vivianite