Physical changes During Growth and Development of Khodeiri and Sorani Olive Fruits

This study was carried out during 2015 growing season on ten-year-old khodeiri and Sorani olive cultivars grown at fruit orchard belongs to the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sulaimani, Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The trees were planted at 4×4 meters apart under rain-fed condition. The investigation was conducted in order to study the changes occurred in some physical characteristics as well as oil content during growth and development of olive fruits. Results proved that fruit of the two cultivars showed a growth pattern cycle: Growth was rapid during the first growth stage (7-9 weeks), slow in the second stage (5-7 weeks) while the third stage was also one of rapid growth which coincided with the change in fruit skin color. The increment in fruit size prior to fruit development came mainly from the increase in cell numbers and cell enlargement in addition to embryo growth. Oil started to accumulate in the fruit during July and increased gradually during August and reached maximum as soon as the fruit turned completely black.