The Effect of Irrigation With Treated Wastewater on “Chemlali” Olive Oil Quality

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) on the quality parameters of "Chemlali" olive oil through two crop seasons (2004/2005 and 2006/2007). The results showed that irrigation with TWW did not affect the examined oil quality indices (free acidity, specific ultraviolet absorbance K 232 and K 270 ). During the two crop seasons, the mean values of these parameters are lower than the upper limits established for the best commercial olive oil quality designated as "Extra Virgin." However, a significant increase of palmitic, palmitoleic, linoleic, linolenic and stearic acid contents was found in the 2006/2007 crop season in the plot irrigated with TWW as compared to the one treated with well water. In addition, a decrease of oleic acid and polyphenol content was observed at the end of experimental period. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe availability of fresh water is very scarce in the Middle East and North Africa. Yet consequently, good quality water is used to irrigate crops more sensitive to water shortage than olive trees. Brackish water or recycled wastewater can be used for irrigation, minimizing the exploitation of natural water 4 Corresponding author. S. Bedbabis, Olive Tree Institute,

Long-terms effects of irrigation with treated municipal wastewater on soil, yield and olive oil quality

“…This might be attributed to cumulative addition of these metals to the soil thought irrigation, as reported in previous investigations (Bedbabis et al, 2009;Ben Rouina et al, 2011). The B, Cd and Pb values were low the detection limit.…”

“…Under Mediterranean climate, where olive tree is the most cultivated crop, the limited water resources and the increased need for good water quality for urban and industrial sector uses, led to the use of nonconventional water sources: agricultural drainage water, brackish or saline water and industrial or municipal wastewater for agricultural irrigation particularly under actual conditions of rainfall scarcity. The reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) in agriculture could be among the management practices to promote olive tree extension and cultivation at least under described experimental conditions in the south of Tunisia as reported by several studies (Bedbabis et al, 2009(Bedbabis et al, , 2010aBen Rouina et al, 2011). In Tunisia, this practice is actually more and more extended.…”

“…• provides a reliable source of water supply to farmers and nutrients source for crop production (Jimenez-Cisneros, 1995); • conserves nutrients, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers (Gil and Ulloa, 1997); • increases crop yields and returns from farming also if applied on olive orchards (Bedbabis et al, 2009(Bedbabis et al, , 2010aBen Rouina et al, 2011); is a low-cost method for sanitary disposal of municipal wastewater. However, application of TWW can have some risks either for agriculture products or soil properties (Yadav et al, 2002;Tarchouna et al, 2010 ;Vivaldi et al, 2013).…”

“…Studies on the effect of TWW on olive's growth, productivity and oil quality in Tunisia are scarce (Bedbabis et al, 2009(Bedbabis et al, , 2010aBen Rouina et al, 2011). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of TWW in a "Chemlali" olive orchard on soil characteristics, olive yield and VOO quality.…”

Effects of reclaimed wastewater irrigation and fertigation level on olive oil composition and quality

“…Elevation in the levels of N and P was correlated with a reduction of oleic acid (C18:1) and increase of linolenic acid (C18:3), and free fatty acids (FFAs) increased in response to high fertilization levels . Despite the shortage of freshwater and the increasing needs for the use of marginal water for irrigation, only a few studies regarding the effect of water source on olive oil quality have been published . Irrigation‐induced salinity was found to differentially affect a number of important quality parameters of olive oil .…”