Studies on sex compatiblity of some olive cultivars

Abstract

This study was carried out during two successive seasons (2004 and 2006) to evaluate the effect of different pollination types on 16 years old olive oil cultivars, namely Arbeqeina, Bouteillan and Koroneiki .The trees were grown in a sandy soil in an experimental orchard at Ismaillia Governorate, Egypt. These cultivars were showing poor fruit set and low yield problems. During the two studied seasons, each cultivar was subjected to the different types of pollination i.e. self, cross and open pollinations. The obtained results generally showed that Arbequina, Bouteillan and Koroneiki under the experimental conditions are self-incompatible cvs. For proper fruit set, Koroneiki proved to be a good pollinator for Arbequina. Meanwhile, Arbequina seemed to be the best pollinator for Bouleillan. Also, Bouteillan is cross-compatible with Koroneiki for good fruit set. However, Abrbequina seemed to be the best pollinator for Koroneiki highest oil content So, The obtained results suggest that under Ismailia Governorate conditions, planting Arbequina, Bouteillan and Koroneiki cvs. in a mixed plots is recommend for good fruit set and oil content Also using Arbequina pollen grains in a supplementary pollination program proved to be effective in enhanceing Bouteillan olive fruit set.