Abstract
Leaf and fruit size and shape were measured and mannitol, glucose, sucrose and malic acid were quantified in leaf, bark and fruit of 25 Sicilian olive genotypes. Multivariate analysis was used to individuate groups with similar chemical composition and morphological traits suggesting potential for stress tolerance and/or oil yield and quality. Mannitol content varied greatly among genotypes and was the most abundant carbohydrate in leaf and bark, whereas glucose was the most abundant in fruit. Sucrose and malic acid were generally low indicating a marginal role in olive tissues. Mannitol and glucose were directly related in both leaf and fruit tissues. Genotypes also differed for carbohydrate partitioning among tissues, and multivariate analysis individuated a group of seven genotypes associated to leaf length:width, length:area, glucose, mannitol, and sucrose, which should stand for environmental stress tolerance. Multivariate analysis also individuated a group of six genotypes associated to malic acid, oleic acid, oleic:linoleic, and polyphenols, and therefore showing potential for production of high quality and stable olive oil. Overall, three of the 25 genotypes in trial seem to combine a good degree of abiotic stress tolerance with production of high quality and stable olive oil.
Highlights
Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a species growing in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions where it commonly faces high temperatures and irradiation along with long periods of water deficit
Genotypes differed for carbohydrate partitioning among tissues, and multivariate analysis individuated a group of seven genotypes associated to leaf length:width, length:area, glucose, mannitol, and sucrose, which should stand for environmental stress tolerance
Mannitol seems to contribute to osmotic adjustment under water deficit (Xiloyannis et al, 1999) and salt stress (Gucci, Moing, Gravano, & Gaudillére, 1998), and it increases in response to low temperatures in vitro (Rejšková, Patková, Stodůlková, & Lipavská, 2007), whereas sorbitol plays a similar role in apple (Wang & Stutte 1992), cherry (Ranney, Bassuk, & Whitlow, 1991), and peach (Lo Bianco, Rieger, & Sung, 2000)
Summary
Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a species growing in Mediterranean and semi-arid regions where it commonly faces high temperatures and irradiation along with long periods of water deficit. Olive is able to reduce water content and potential in leaves and roots, ceasing growth but maintaining some photosynthesis and carbohydrate accumulation (Xiloyannis, Dichio, Nuzzo, & Celano, 1999; Dichio et al, 2003). This has been mainly attributed to the accumulation of compatible solutes (osmotic adjustment). Mannitol comprises a significant portion of the soluble carbohydrate in species of Oleaceae, Apiaceae and Rubiaceae (Barker, 1955; Zimmermann & Ziegler, 1975; Bieleski, 1982) It is synthesized in mature leaves after reduction of mannose-6-phosphate by a NADPH-dependent mannose-6-phosphate reductase www.ccsenet.org/jas. We screened 25 Sicilian olive genotypes for carbohydrate content in various organs as well as leaf and fruit morphological traits, and used multivariate analysis to individuate groups of genotypes and factors that could discriminate them for stress tolerance and oil properties
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