Variety traits

Olive Self-compatibility

Olea europaea L.

Most olive cultivars are characterized by sporophytic self-incompatibility, requiring cross-pollination for stable fruit set. Fertilization efficiency is evaluated by the fruit set percentage index.

In the reference 71 varieties crop Olive, where this is mentioned in the description.

The olive tree exhibits a sporophytic self-incompatibility system, in which a genetic mechanism prevents pollen germination or pollen tube growth on the pistil of the same plant or cultivar. Although partially self-compatible forms exist, commercial orchards of most cultivars require cross-pollination to ensure high yields.

The degree of self-compatibility is measured via the fruit set index, calculated as the ratio of the number of set fruits to the number of flowers in the inflorescence. In scientific practice, microscopic analysis of pollen tube growth within pistil tissues is also used to determine the stage at which the fertilization process is blocked.

When designing commercial orchards, olive self-incompatibility necessitates the careful selection of compatible pollinator cultivars with overlapping flowering periods. A low level of self-compatibility in single-cultivar plantations is a risk factor that intensifies biennial bearing and reduces yields under unfavorable weather conditions.

General information about the subject — on the page Self-fertility.

Sources8

Varieties of Olive mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.