Preliminary study for determination of suitable rain fed area for olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivation in Fars and Khozestan province.

In accordance to find suitable area for cultivating olive under rain fed condition, climatic data and olive cultivars of Farsand khoozestanprovinces were evaluated. In this order, climatic parameters such as amount of rain, temperature, evaporation, relative humidity, sun hours, wind and overall climate of theprovinces were investigated. Two warm and temperate climates of the province and seven olive cultivars including, Amigdalolia, Tokhm kabki,Dakal, Dousti, Zard, Shiraz and Konservalia were selected. Flowering period, percentage of fruit set during one month after flowering and fruit maturation, yield, yearly growth, trunk cross section and development of canopy investigated at the end of growing season. In addition, water consumption of the trees in hectare was measured in each stage. The results revealed that cultivation of olive tree under rain fed condition is not possible in Fars province. However, Zard and Dousti cultivars can be cultivated as rain fed under temperature climate condition of the province by using complimentary irrigation.In Khoozestan province,olive growing area is divided to five parts. For this research some olive orchards with cultivars of Dezfool, Keyop and Konservalia was selected. With attention to climate factors (Evaporation, Low precipitation, and unsuitable broad)the results indicated that rain fed olive culture is not possible in Khoozestan Province. In some region with high elevation and precepetation and low evaporation such as Eyzeh, Baghmalek and Sardasht –e- Deazfool olive growing is possible with supplementary irrigation with 2000-2500 m3/ha.Key words: Olive, Rainfed, rain, Irigation, Cultivars, Fars province.