Enhancing water productivity of ‘Picual’ olive using Aloe vera biostimulant under different irrigation systems in arid regions

Abstract Using a 3 × 3 randomized complete block design (RCBD), this study evaluated Aloe vera biostimulant (extract fertigation vs. soil-applied leaf slices) on the water productivity of ‘Picual’ olives under different irrigation systems: drip, micro-sprinkler, and bubbler irrigation. Applied water amounts varied significantly, from 41.03 m³ tree⁻¹ (bubbler) to 61.95 m³ tree⁻¹ (micro-sprinkler), and hydraulic network efficiency (emitter clogging risk) was assessed. Results indicated that combining bubbler irrigation (41.03 m³ tree⁻¹) with soil-applied leaf slices (ALS-S) maximized irrigation water productivity (0.75 kg m⁻³) and oil water productivity (0.19 kg m⁻³), yielding 30.66 kg tree⁻¹ of fruit and 7.82 kg tree⁻¹ of oil. This combination significantly enhanced nutritive value, total soluble solids, and color indices, which are critical for determining optimal harvest maturity. Economically, this treatment yielded the maximum net return; specifically, the net return reached 175,390 EGP/feddan.