Genetic Divergence of Horticultural Traits among Olive (Olea europeaL.) Genotypes Grown in Temperate Climate

Abstract

The present investigation for assessment of genetic divergence of horticultural traits in 18 olive genotypes was carried out at experimental farm of ICAR-CITH, Srinagar. All the selected genotypes differed significantly for selected traits. Thirteen economic traits were scored and subjected to multivariate analysis. Results revealed a considerable phenotypic variability among olive genotypes. The cluster analysis classified genotypes into two major groups according to their potential characteristics. The first group was found superior in terms of narrowest leaf, longest fruit size, high fruit firmness, high pulp content, high fruit shape index and low yield per plant and second cluster in longest leaf, thickest leaf, high fruit weight, low firmness and high yield per plant attributes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that The first PC, which is the most important component, explained 29.05% of total variation and was positively related to leaf length and leaf length/width ratio, leaf thickness, oil content (fresh and dry weight basis), stone weight, yield per plant. Among genotypes most diverse genotypes were Picholine, Cipressino, Toffohai, Coratina and Cornicobra which could be utilized as donor parents to begin crossing in European olive as well as in Indian olive species and breeding programs which may result in increase in the desired traits such as fruit size, oil content and yield.