Mechanical harvesting, fruit and oil quality in olives influenced by harvest time and exogenous application of ethylene

Abstract

Effects of fruit growth and development, different harvesting times, concentration and time of ethephon application on facilitating mechanical harvesting and oil quality of ‘Frantoio’ and ‘Manzanilla’ olives grown in south-western Australia were investigated during 2013 - 2014. Harvesting in late-May to mid-June or an exogenous spray of ethephon (1000 – 1500 mg L-1) two weeks before harvest facilitates mechanical harvesting and excellent physical, biochemical and sensory attributes of fruit and virgin olive oil in both cultivars.