MORPHOLOGICAL, PHENOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ADAPTABILITY OF EXOTIC OLIVE CULTIVARS IN DISTRICT CHAKWAL, PAKISTAN.

The present study was carried out to characterize the exotic olive cultivars on morphological as well as phenological basis and to assess their adaptability in Pothwar (Chakwal area) climatic condition of Pakistan. Majority of the parameters indicated significant variability between the cultivars and positive significant correlation were obtained between the parameters. Cultivars Ottobratica and Arbequina could be used for pollination purpose against maximum cultivars due to the longest flowering duration. Maximum fruit set percentage was recorded in cultivar Arbequina (5.49%) while poor fruit set was observed in cultivar Koroneiki (1.15%) with the mean of 2.66 for all cultivars. Maximum yield per plant was obtained from the cultivar Coratina (22kg) while minimum was recorded from the cultivar Leccino (2.5kg) with mean of 10.54kg. It is concluded from the correlation that bold size cultivars like Coratina, Gemlik, Jerboui and Nabali could be recommended for projection of olive industry in Pakistan under the climatic condition of Chakwal as fruit set percentage has positive correlation with fruit weight. The grouping of above mentioned cultivars in bi-plot on the basis of oil percentage, fruit set percentage and yield per tree also confirmed the recommendation of cultivars. Overall the trait of final fruit set percentage showed the greatest variability among all the traits among all the cultivars. Five cultivars included Coratina, Gemlik, Nabali, Picholine and Jerboui were most suitable for oil and yield production under the climatic condition of Pothwar, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]