[Nutrient Composition in the Ecosystem of Olea europaea cv. aspani in Derna, Libya]

Olea europaea L. constitutes a source of many bioactive compounds, which have recognized benefits for both human health and technological purposes. Orchards varied much greatly in their nutrient concentrations. The aim of the present study was to assess the mineral nutrient composition of twelve olive agroecosystems under the environmental factors of Derna (Libya). Application of principal components analysis (PCA) for use with nutrient analysis and edaphic factors data was performed to test the distribution and similarity between orchards. Application of step-wise multiple regression model revealed that electric conductivity, soil texture, pH, CaCO3 concentration and organic matter were the most important edaphic factors affecting nutrient concentration levels in leaves of Olea europaea (olive). The yield (Kg/ tree) was strongly affected besides these factors by tree age. Application of PCA proved that, the distribution of orchards in the three-dimensional plane varies along two gradients, (a) nutrient gradients in leaves and roots and (b) edaphic gradients of soil salinity, CaCO3, pH and organic matter (O.M).