Cross-pollination in Olive Cultivars

Abstract

What the report is about: The aim of this study was to determine the pollen donors for five olive major cultivars, using paternity analysis. Bloom time, pollen vitality, and weather conditions during the flowering period were also recorded. The study was done over two years at two sites and different compatibilities between cultivars were identified. Who is the report targeted at: The olive industry will benefit from the results of this project through potential increases in productivity. Many orchards have been established without due regard to the requirements of cross-pollination. The results from this project will provide valuable guidelines to anyone planning new plantings. In addition, they can be used to increase productivity in established groves through the addition of new pollen donors. The effect of introducing compatible pollen donors to a mono-varietal grove could improve yield (fruit set) from less than 1% up to 4%. New trees can be introduced through grafting onto old trees or inter-planting. This research also has environmental benefits as a significant increase in yields could be achieved without expansion of land use, irrigation or addition of fertilisers or chemicals for pest and disease control.