2025-12-08 EURO-MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION 2025 11(卷), 1(期), (null页)
In arid areas where freshwater resources are limited, the use of saline water for irrigating olive trees is becoming more common. This study investigated how different saline irrigation strategies affect soil characteristics, salt accumulation, leaching efficiency, and olive tree productivity. Field trials were carried out on 26-year-old Olea europaea L. cv. Chemlali trees grown in sandy-silt soils typical of southern Tunisia's arid Mediterranean region. The experiment included five irrigation treatments : (i) DRY : Rain-fed without irrigation ; (ii) FI : Full irrigation with saline water (EC = 7.5 mS/cm) at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) ; (iii) PRD : Partial root-zone drying at 50% ETc, with irrigation sides alternated every 30 days; (iv) RDI : Regulated deficit irrigation at 50% ETc; and (v) TW : Full irrigation with tap water (EC = 2.46 mS/cm) at 100% ETc. Findings showed that saline irrigation, when managed with adequate drainage, preserved soil structure and facilitated salt leaching below the root zone. Compared to rain-fed trees, saline treatments enhanced shoot growth and yield, as long as salt accumulation was controlled through effective leaching.