Characterisation of olive wild ecotypes

Because of the ecosystem characteristics, wild olive varieties (Olea europnea L. var. oleaster Hoff, et Lk.) are widely spread in Sardinia as a typical component of the Mediterranean maquis. In order to obtain more information on the possibility to use wild olives in breeding programs for olive growing a preliminary study was carried out on the genetic resources of wild olive in Sardinia. Wild ecotypes were in situ characterised for general morphology (size, vegetative, vigour, fruit yield, health status, ecological traits). Vegetative and reproductive organs were also sampled to determine the following pomological characters: length of fruit bearing shoots; internode number; morphology and number of fruit and flowers per shoot; leaf size; fruit and seed size. Specific tests to evaluate rooting ability of softwood cuttings and seed germinability were also performed.