Olives are the only species of the family Oleaceae with edible fruits and thus, these fruits due to their properties as food and oil have found a significant value. These plants however exhibit a pattern of alternate bearing which affect fruit yield during consecutive years. The present study, therefore, was designed to compare the nutritional status of Olea ferruginea Royle fruits in terms of proximate and elemental composition collected during on-year and off-year of fruit-bearing. Proximate (moisture, ash content, crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, organic matter, total carbohydrate) composition was quantified and compared for alternate bearing. Results of the proximate analysis showed a relatively higher percentage of moisture content, organic matter, Crude protein and crude fat in on-year samples whereas Ash content, Crude fiber and total carbohydrate content were documented in higher amounts in off-year samples. Analysis of variance however depicted a significant difference (pβ€0.05) between percentages of the carbohydrate content in consecutive year samples. These results emphasized the fact that lower yield during off-year may reinforce the accumulation of certain elements in olive fruits and thus, may be considered a good source of elemental supplements and mineral fertilizer. However, overall findings agreed to the O. ferruginea fruits may serve as a good source of nutrition and thus, sustainable conservation of this wild olive specie is highly recommended.
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