Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Pomology

This work was carried out in a private orchard located at Cairo {u2013} Alexandria, desert road (50 Km from Cairo), Egypt during three successive seasons 2010, 2011 and 2012 .The present study aimed to facilitate mechanical harvesting of fifteen - years - old "Koroneiki" olive (Olea europaea L.) trees. Trees were sprayed with chemical loosening agents: ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) at the concentrations of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/ l, mono potassium phosphate (KH2PO4) MPK at 2%, 3% and 4%, phosphoric acid (H3PO4) at 75, 125 and 175 mM and thiourea (1,3-di 3-Methoxybenzyl) at 500, 1000 and 1500 p.p.m. in two times for each concentration (7 and 15 days before harvesting) then harvested by a mechanical hand vibrator by pass it over the treated branches either with the different loosening agents or with water only (control). Generally, spraying of any fruit loosening agents before the mechanical harvesting process by 15 days was better than use by 7 days in facilitating harvesting by help in making abscission zone in the fruits{u2019} pedicels.

Issued also as CD