Articles
CLONAL SELECTION OF “LECCINO” VARIETY FOR TABLE OLIVES
It is possible to determine different "types" or clones with the variety, due to several morphological and agronomical aspects which are more or less evident.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the productive behaviour of 31 clones of "Leccino", which came from different cultivation areas and which were planted in one experimental field set up in Central Italy.
A series of measurements were carried out over 5 years with the purpose of determining clones with different charateristics compared to the standard variety under the climatic conditions prevailing.
It was revealed that some clones (e.g. 4, 6, 9, which came from various areas of Tuscany) as well as having a production superior to that of the average population, proved also to be more enduring.
The average weight and size of the fruits, in this five year period, was fairly good (over 3 grammes and about 15–16 mm of diameter). The percentage of fruit with size over 15 mm was about 60%. Additionally, with these clones the dimensions of the leaves and flower clusters were greater than those typical of the "Leccino" described by other authors.
Among six clones which stood out from the rest of the population by having good and constant production together with a reasonable size of the fruits, number 4 in particular was significantly different from the others in several morphological aspects.