Agronomic and qualitative evaluation of new olive genotypes selected in central Italy

The vegetative, productive and fruit characteristics of 52 new genotypes of olives from a cross-breeding programme were compared to those of their parents 'Ascolana tenera', 'Carboncella', 'Dritta', 'Gentile di Chieti', 'Intosso' and 'Leccino�...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in horticultural science 2008-01, Vol.22 (2), p.136-141
Main Authors: Alfei, B., Paoletti, A., Rosati, A., Santinelli, A., Pannelli, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural economics
Breeding
Forest canopy
Fruit trees
Fruits
Genotypes
Pigmentation
Plants
Polyphenols
Rootstocks
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Summary:The vegetative, productive and fruit characteristics of 52 new genotypes of olives from a cross-breeding programme were compared to those of their parents 'Ascolana tenera', 'Carboncella', 'Dritta', 'Gentile di Chieti', 'Intosso' and 'Leccino', which are autochthonous and/or widespread cultivars in the Marches and Abruzzi, two regions of central Italy. All genotypes and parents were grafted on donai rootstock (cv. Frantoio). An overall evaluation index for the agronomic parameters (fruit weight, pulp/stone ratio, oil content, pulp consistency, pigmentation index, yield and yield efficiency) was developed to compare the new genotypes among each other and to their parents. Nine genotypes had a score higher or equal to that of the best parent. Oil quality analyses were carried out for the best genotypes and all parents in 2006. An index for oil qualitative parameters was developed: two genotypes had a score higher or equal to that of the best parent. Some genotypes had more precocious and higher yields than any of the parents while maintaining or surpassing the parents' oil quality. Other genotypes might be suitable for high density planting due to their low vigour. Fruit characteristics (average fruit weight, pulp/stone ratio, pigmentation index, pulp consistency, and oil content) of the six parents grafted onto 'Frantoio' rootstocks did not differ from those of fruits from adjacent self-rooted adult trees of the same varieties. Further research is needed to confirm these results in other growing environments, with self-rooted plants and with more extensive data on oil quality parameters over multiple years. Additionally, it will be necessary to evaluate the genotypes' susceptibility or resistance to widespread pest and diseases.
ISSN:0394-6169
1592-1573