FRUIT AND ENDOCARP PROPERTIES IN RELATION TO INTRA-VARIETAL MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF MONTENEGRIN OLIVE VARIETY ‘ŽUTICA’

Abstract

‘Žutica’ is the most widespread olive variety of Montenegro, accounting for as much as 98% of olive trees in the southern part of Montenegrin coastal area – Bar subarea. The primary purpose of variety ‘Žutica’ is olive oil production due to its small fruits and high oil content, although it is also much appreciated as a table olive, prepared in local ways as green and black. As ‘Žutica’ is an old olive variety there are some phenotypic differences recorded in the fruit properties. Here we evaluated 22 accessions from the area of Bar and Ulcinj, where this variety is very widespread (almost mono-varietal), for 34 parameters of the fruit and endocarp. Significant differences in fruit properties were observed in the accessions. Average fruit size in nine accessions was above 3.5 g and in two accessions more than 4.0 g. Number of fruits per kg ranged from 224 to 330. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to group the accessions and evaluate the morphological variability. The accessions clustered into two groups, with two off group accessions of the highest fruit weight. The results showed differences among individuals, especially for large fruit accessions that should be investigated further.