Relation of fruit color, elongation, hardness, and volume to the infestation of olive cultivars by the olive fruit fly,Bactrocera oleae

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1570-7458.2012.01311.x
• Publication Date: 2012-08-09T10:31:10Z
• Authors: Roberto Rizzo; Virgilio Caleca; Alberto Lombardo
• Keywords: Orchard; Mangifera; Bactrocera

Abstract The susceptibility of olive cultivars to the fruit fly, B actrocera oleae ( R ossi) D iptera: T ephritidae), has seldom been studied. This article examines factors associated with fly infestation 16 commonly planted Sicilian cultivars. Total data were simultaneously correlated categorical and quantitative using ordinal logistic regression. When all included in analysis, year, sampling date, cultivar, color highly significant, but volume, elongation, hardness not. analysis was repeated excluding elongation volume significant. Spherical, large, hard seemed be preferred by . over that are elongate, small, soft. Therefore, color, provide useful information regarding In both organic conventional cultivation, about cultivar will help orchard managers produce quality oil table olives while reducing treatments for control.