LEBANESE ANCIENT OLIVE TREES AND THEIR RELATEDNESS WITH THE LOCAL CULTIVAR 'BALADI'
Lebanon is historically known for olive cultivation that dates back to Phoenician times.
Centennial and millennial trees are still standing and growing across the country.
These olive trees might be unknown traditional cultivars that remain still uncharacterized.
Conservation and characterization of the ancient olive germplasm are a priority task since it is progressively disappearing due to various human activities.
This study presents a first genetic analysis of the six oldest olive trees of Lebanon located in Bcheale village in the North, and their relationships with the dominant traditional Baladi cultivar, by using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers.
The first results indicate three different profiles among the six studied; one of which was differentiated as a dominant type and clearly matched the widespread traditional Baladi. We suggest that these olives trees were linked to the beginning stages of olive growing in the country and served as basic plant material for the current cultivars derived by clonal propagation.
Chalak, L., Khadari, B. and Haouane, H. (2014). LEBANESE ANCIENT OLIVE TREES AND THEIR RELATEDNESS WITH THE LOCAL CULTIVAR 'BALADI'. Acta Hortic. 1057, 749-754
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1057.96
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1057.96
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1057.96
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2014.1057.96
Olea europaea L., 'Baladi', ancient trees, Lebanon, SSR analysis
English