L'oleastro: risorsa genetica della macchia mediterranea

The wild olive, wild equivalent of the olive tree, represents an important source of genetic variability, to be preserved and enhanced. The wild forms, in fact, constitute a "genetic reservoir" from which to draw valuable qualitative and agronomic characteristics to be used with profit in the genetic improvement of the cultivated olive. Moreover the wild olive could be a valid alternative in our climatic and environmental conditions, where many of the species classically used for forestation and arboriculture for wood fail to develop satisfactorily. It is the objective of this research to evaluate the adaptability to an intensive model of arboriculture for wood of the wild olive clones found in the region and collected in the experimental company of the University of Sassari. Three orders of observations were made on the plants under study: biometric and phenological surveys, rooting tests and chemical analysis of drupes. From the analysis it emerged that the semi-intensive cultivation conditions did not change the natural phenological expression of the observed clones, except for a more pushy vegetative activity (emission of new shoots; diametral increments) favored by the constant water supply. Regarding the attitude to agamic propagation, the clones studied showed a high variability. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the most productive selections provided interesting terms of comparison with the most common island oil cultivars.