Abstract
The main goal of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate saline water irrigation on the composition and quality of olive oil of the "Chemlali" olive cultivar in comparison to a control plot grown under rain-fed conditions from two methods of olive tree propagation (suckers and cuttings). The antioxidant compounds, oxidative stability and volatile compounds of virgin olive oil samples were determined and reported. The irrigation did not affect free acidity and peroxide value and specific ultraviolet absorbance (K-232, K-270). Whereas, fatty acid composition, oxidative stability, total phenol, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were affected by irrigation. Rain-fed virgin olive oils showed a statistically significant higher content of oleic and linoleic acids. However, olive oil samples obtained from fruit of irrigated trees from suckers had a higher content of (E)-2 hexenal (67.2%) and a higher content of total phenols (860 mg kg(-1)). Interestingly, more stable oil was obtained from moderate saline water irrigated trees from suckers compared to olives from cuttings.