Primary compatibility study of Greek olive cultivars in Tarom environmental conditions of Zanjan Province

This study was conducted to evaluate the adaptability of six commercial Greek olive cultivars in the Tarom olive research station of Zanjan from 2007 to 2010 growing seasons. Olive trees were planted in a randomized complete block design in 2006 at a distance of 6×6 m. Different traits such as vegetative and reproductive traits were measured on all trees of different varieties. The mean comparison of data showed that growth traits such as plant height, width, trunk cross area, and seasonal shoot growth were significantly different between cultivars. ‘Thaki’ was superior in vegetative traits in comparison to the others. The number of inflorescences branch^‑1, number of flowers inflorescence^‑1, percentage of perfect flower, and final fruit set were significantly different between the cultivars at a 5% probability level. ‘Halkidikis’ had the highest fruit set percentage compared to the others. Fruit weight, flesh weight, stone weight, flesh percent, and flesh/pit ratio were significantly different between cultivars at the 5% of a statistical level, so that ‘Halkidikis’ and ‘Konservolia’ had the highest fruit, flesh, and pit weight, respectively. Oil content and fruit yield were significantly different between cultivars at the 5% of a statistical level. ‘Halkidikis’, ‘Konservolia’, and ‘Megaron’ had a higher oil percentage based on dry matter with higher than 50%. ‘Agouromanako’ had the highest fruit yield in comparison to the others. In general, ‘Chalkidikis’ and ‘Konservolia’ were superior based on fruit characteristics and oil percent.