Oil content in fruits of leading autochthonous olive varieties in Istria

Sadržaj ulja u plodu masline najvažniji je čimbenik koji određuje ekonomsku vrijednost pojedine sorte i jedan od kriterija za određivanje stupnja zrelosti ploda, odnosno karakterizaciju sorte. Određena je količina ulja u plodu vodećih autohtonih sorti maslina u Istri, tijekom 2004. i 2005. godine, pomoću Soxtec aparata. Dobiveni podaci u zasebnim godinama upućuju na povezanost sadržaja ulja sa sortom, no njihova varijabilnost između dvije godine za pojedinu sortu ukazuje na značajan utjecaj vanjskih čimbenika. Dobiveni rezultati variraju između 21 i 48% ulja u odnosu na suhu tvar ploda, što ukazuje na značajan ekonomski potencijal ovih sorti.The oil content in an olive fruit is the most relevant factor determining the economic value of singular variety and one of the criteria for fruit maturity degree determination, and variety characterization as well. In this paper, the olive oil content in fruits of leading autochthonous olive varieties in Istria during crop seasons 2004 and 2005, using Soxtec apparatus, was determined. The results obtained reflect mostly the influence of the variety genetic potential on the oil content, when monitored in a single year, but its variation between the two years in a single variety shows the influence of external factors. The oil content on a dry weight basis in fruits of investigated varieties ranged from 21% to 48% which shows their high economic potential