Morphological and Chemical Characterization of Olive Cultivars Grown in Pothohar Region of Pakistan

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a nutritionally important crop, yet limited information exists on the varietal differences of cultivars grown in Pakistan’s Pothohar region. This study evaluated ten olive cultivars for their physicochemical and nutritional properties to support cultivar selection for commercial and nutritional use. Key traits analyzed included fruit size, flesh thickness, pH, total soluble solids, oil content, proximate composition, mineral content, and calorific value. Multivariate analysis was used to assess genetic and phenotypic variation. The Earlik cultivar showed the most favorable characteristics, including highest fruit size, flesh thickness, moisture (66.7%), crude fat (14.77%) and protein (3.08%). Coratina had the highest oil yield and calorific value, while Arbequina exhibited the highest mineral content. Principal component analysis explained 63.1% of total variance, and cluster analysis grouped the cultivars into three major clusters. These findings highlight significant diversity among olive cultivars and offer valuable insights for breeding programs and the olive industry.