The Diversity in Performance of Commercial Olive Clones Selected from the Autochthonous cv. Souri Population for Intensive Irrigated Cultivation

Abstract

The performance of five cv. Souri selections designated as “clones” were compared in two consecutive plots for ≈20 years each and three additional ones for 18 years. Fruit morphology, yield, oil production, and tree growth were monitored. The major results are presented as mean values of five sequential “on” years as well as the characteristic production of young and mature trees. The DNA identity was determined using both simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The performance of two “clones,” SLO and SBU, showed stable diverse production characteristics and could be designated as defined clones, although no clear differences of the DNA between them or the other “clones” were apparent. Another “clone,” SGS, was also designated as a true clone as a result of both unique fruit morphology and DNA markers. The differences between the other “clones” were minute in fruit production morphology and oil production as well as on a DNA basis and their designation as being true clones is doubtful.