Multivariate analysis of the Tuscan olive germplasm

This work was done to evaluate the genetic variation of the olive germplasm of the Tuscany region, central Italy, and to search for valuable characters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compare fruit, pit, leaf and growth habit characteristics among 76 accessions. Clustering of cultivars suggested the existence of a strictly related genetic base with little morphological differences. The germplasm proved to be a useful sources of variability for those attributes not traditionally accounted for in olive plant selection such as: late-ripening, interesting for the quality of the oil; leaf characteristics, for gardening; plant growth, for wood production or high density plantation. Photographs and data of most of the accessions were transferred to Internet where they are available at the address http://www.area.fi.cnr.it/olivo/olivit.htm.