Performance of Some Olive Genotypes Grown Under Saline Stress Conditions.

This study was conducted during 2022 and 2023 seasons to evaluate six olive genotypes resulting from the genetic improvement project and divided into two groups: the first group (Coratina♀ × Frantoio♂) included genotypes: G10, G16, and G26, while, the second group (Frantoio♀ × Coratina♂) included genotypes: G4, G20, and G25. Eight years old trees were planted in a private farm with a spacing of 3 x 6 m in sandy loam soil under a saline drip irrigation system (5648 ppm), to evaluate vegetative, flowering characteristics, yield, and oil content percentage of these genotypes under saline irrigation, or using the resistant genotypes as rootstocks to graft commercially available salinity-sensitive cultivars. According to the data, genotype G25 had the maximum leaf surface area, canopy area, and volume, as well as the highest percentage of perfect flower and fruit set, yield, Ca++, and chlorophyll content, and the lowest proline concentration. G20 showed the lowest values for these parameters: trunk cross-section, leaf surface area, yield, and chlorophyll, K+, and Ca++ content in leaves. G16 had the highest levels of oil, chlorophyll, and K+ content. G10 demonstrated the lowest oil percentage, K+/Ca++, and K+ + Ca++/Na+ ratio. It can be recommended that genotype G16 is suitable for oil extraction in saline conditions, while genotype G26, which had the lowest oil content, can serve as a saline-tolerant rootstock for grafting salt-sensitive commercial olive cultivars. However, genotype G25 produces a moderate amount of oil and can be used for both oil extraction and as a saline-tolerant rootstock.