This study aims at characterizing nineteen cultivars of olive trees cultivated in the region of Chott Mariem in the coastal part of Tunisia under rainfed conditions. For that yield and pomological parameters were followed during four years from 2010 to 2013. We noticed a significant (P < 0.05) varietal differences in terms of yield, physical characteristics of the fruit and the oil content. Moreover, there were some fluctuations in the yield between years and a severe alternate bearing was clearly observed. Each cultivar expressed different pomological characters. The largest fruits were given by ‘Tounsi’ and ‘Ascolana’, averaging respectively 7,98 and 6,09 g, whereas ‘Chemlali’ (0,74 g) and ‘Chetoui’ (1,91 g) had the smallest ones. Based on our results, ‘Meski’, ‘Roumi’, ‘Besbessi’, ‘Picholine’ and ‘Lucques’ produced the highest cumulative yield over the four years of study. The highest oil content was observed in ‘Picholine’ (19,62%), ‘Fougi’ (17,42%), ‘Chemlali’ (14,34%) and ‘Chemchali’ (14,05%). Finally and based on our results in the Chott Mariem region, ‘Dahbia’ and ‘Lucques’ were suggested to be more appropriate for table olive production whereas; ‘Fougi’ and ‘Chemchali’ were the most suitable for oil production. ‘Picholine’ could be considered as a cultivar with double use
